Local Authority Building & Maintenance July/August 2023

JULY/AUGUST

LOCAL AUTHORITY BUIL DING& MA INT ENA NCE

SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & PUBLIC BUILDINGS

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

PROJECT PROFILE

LABM speaks to Jon Hayden, Executive Director (Development) at B3Living, about the housing association’s role in delivering more affordable homes at Cheshunt Lakeside

THE LEADING MAGAZINE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY AND HOUSING ASSOCIATION SPECIFIERS

rEgUlars

5 comment

Do the Decent Thing

6 news

LiveWest rural housing investment plans decarbonisation framework for Scotland Keepmoat signs MoU with WMCA

7 Protective measures for Buildings with a. Proctor group

Latest guidance on protecting buildings from ground gas

8 Project Update

Great Places Housing Group Foxhall Village West development £250m garden village at Seaham Homes Plus’ £2 3m energy efficiency project

9 achieving Energy Efficiency with glidevale Protect

How construction membranes helped One Manchester boost energy efficiency

10 industry comment

Matthew Warburton, Policy Advisor at the Association of Retained Council Housing discusses the Decent Homes Standard

ProjEct ProfilE

11 lakeside living

B3Living’s new affordable apartments at Cheshunt Lakeside

14 housing fit for the future

Nigel Sedman, Executive Director of Homes at ForHousing, on the importance of providing an equitable service

16 Under Warranty

Global Home Warranties delves into the critical role of building control

sPEcial rEPorts

17 Preventative action

Time for a fresh approach to prevent firerelated deaths says Plumis

20 smarter sustainable Drainage

Advice on selecting sustainable drainage systems for urban locations

taking a fresh approach to how we protect people in their homes and reduce the risk of fire in social housing

schools, hosPitals & PUBlic BUilDings

22 a rapid response for critical hospital services

Saint-Gobain Weber shares how it has helped ensure multiple hospital projects get delivered on time

25 Building regulations Part l Uplift Meeting the requirements of Approved Document L of the Building Regulations

28 Education matters HOPPE (UK) discusses the scale of repair and maintenance works needed in schools across the country and its solutions can help

30 turn up the heat on energy savings

A pioneering new approach to reducing energy use and carbon emissions in schools

33 round-up

sustainable drainage solutions

hydromx improves heating efficiencies

Doors, WinDoWs & harDWarE

34 the price of Performance

T h e i n c r e a s i n g f o c u s o n w h o l e - l i f e c a r b o n i n t h e s p e c i f i c a t i o n o f d o o r s a n d w i n d o w s

37 Unlocking the Power of software

A look at how advanced software is enabling housing providers to inspect fire doors quickly and effectively in line with new regulations

39 round-up

42 the Building safety act clock is ticking…

Scalable solutions to solve the Golden Thread and Building Safety Act compliance and competency management conundrum

45 navigating the Digital transformation

Key trends in technologies and how local authorities can utilise them to achieve impactful results

48 streamlining operations and Boosting Efficiency

The benefits of cutting-edge field service management software for improving outcomes for housing associations

50 round-up

Digital transformation

Editor

Claire Clutten

labm@hamerville co uk

Advertisement Manager

Dave Jones dave@hamerville co uk

Group Advertising Manager

Craig Jowsey

Digital Manager

Jasmine Smith

JSmith@hamerville co uk

Digital Assistant

Toby Richardson trichardson@hamerville co uk

Design

Adeel Qadri

Group Production Manager

Carol Padgett

Circulation Manager

Kirstie Day

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Published by Hamerville Media Group Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF 01923 237799

Email: labm@hamerville co uk

D o t h e d e c e n t t h i n g

I received the latest research from the House Buyer Bureau in early July, which revealed that ‘the average homebuyer today requires 8 8 times their income to cover the cost of a home’

Managing Director of House Buyer Bureau, Chris Hodgkinson says “ you have to feel for today’s homebuyers who have seen house prices explode over the last decade or two,” while earnings have failed to keep pace

“As if this wasn’t bad enough,” adds Chris, “they’ve been further squeezed by high levels of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis in recent months and, as a result, are now paying through the teeth when looking to secure a mortgage due to interest rates hitting 5% ”

Housing affordability is a major problem across the country, particularly in areas such as the South-east In May, I visited B3Living’s housing development in Cheshunt Lakeside, where they’ve delivered 195 new high specification homes for a mix of shared ownership and affordable rent The housing association carried out purpose work with the local authority to understand the housing need in the area, and identified a high demand for one- and two-bedroom homes

I spoke to Jon Hayden, Executive Director (Development) at B3Living, who told me that to buy a home in the Broxbourne area people need 12 times their salary to be able to afford it, which is crazy How is that right or even sustainable ?

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Originally, the Cheshunt Lakeside development’s affordable homes quota was just 10% (through Section 106), due to the developer needing to deliver a new school and a significant amount of infrastructure on site Through B3Living’s involvement in the project that figure has more than doubled, thanks to the construction of 195 new affordable apartments

B3Living wanted to provide a more affordable route into home ownership for local people currently priced out of the housing market and created 83 properties for shared ownership, in addition to the 112 for affordable rent This is a great example of housing associations working hard to deliver on local

need You can find out more about this ambitious project on page 11

We don’t just need more affordable homes however, we need more social housing too, and sector bodies like the National Housing Federation are at the forefront of championing this call The NHF launched its ‘Why we need a long-term plan for housing’ report in June, highlighting that ‘there are 8 5 million people in England who can’t access the housing they need’ and for ‘4 2 million people, a social rent home is the right answer ’

Access to good quality genuinely affordable homes shouldn’t be a pipe dream, it should be a reality As the NHF points out: ‘A decent, affordable home is as essential as having clean air to breathe, and should be a right for us all, wherever we live across the country’ The impact of a lack of housing and decent housing on people’s health and wellbeing is all too evident, and the knock-on effect to the NHS is significant, as the NHF’s recent report highlights ‘ poor quality housing costs the NHS £1 4bn each year ’

What determines a Decent Home? The Decent Homes Standard is currently undergoing a review with a view to a introducing a ‘Decent Homes Standard 2’, and as Matthew Warburton, Policy Advisor at the Association for Retained Council Housing (ARCH) writes in his Industry Comment for LABM on page 10: “There can be no denying that the DHS is in need of updating; the current version dates from 2006 and contains several features that now seem difficult to defend ”

Let’s hope the Decent Homes Standard’s new incarnation when it’s finalised is much more ambitious, as striving for ‘reasonable’ is not an aspirational or acceptable performance target

B3Living’s Quadra Apartments at Cheshunt Lakeside, more details on the project on page 11

Wates join forces with NHDG

Wates has become one of the first members of the newly formed National Homes Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) in a move that will help accelerate the social housing retrofit challenge The Group will work together to drive social housing retrofit at scale, with a focus on growing a compliant supply chain, seeking innovation and advising on Government policy

The business’ commitment to the UK’s Net Zero journey has also included the recent launch of an innovation call-out to find new and emerging sustainable technologies that will help housing providers meet their carbon emissions targets As part of the campaign, Wates is searching for specialists in products that improve energy use, help save energy or money on household energy bills, or improve the sustainability of properties Businesses keen to register their interest can apply online here www rdr link/lal001

SPA and SFHA renew partnership

The Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) and Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) have renewed a crucial partnership after revealing the huge successes it has delivered to Scotland’s market for affordable and accessible homes

Since it was launched in 2018 the partnership has seen SPA support and collaborate with the SFHA helping its members to deliver £258 5m worth of projects Now the two organisations have agreed to continue the partnership for another year, further strengthening the connections, which have already seen 70 HAs bring 258 projects to fruition

LiveWest outlines rural housing investment plans

Housing association LiveWest has pledged to build around 560 homes in rural areas across the South West over the next two years

LiveWest outlined its plans to invest in rural economies during Rural Housing Week, a national campaign designed to shine a spotlight on the vital importance of housing associations for rural communities

Over the past two years, LiveWest has demonstrated its commitment by building 499 rural homes across the South West of England The largest housing provider in the region has invested close to £39m during the last financial year having built 228 homes in rural areas The total is made up of 73 homes in Cornwall, 109 in Devon, 39 in Somerset, and seven in the West of England

In the next two years, LiveWest is planning to develop 138 homes in Cornwall, 198 in Devon, 193 in Somerset and 30 in the West of England It means 30% of LiveWest’s development programme is made up of homes in rural areas

Gareth Jones, Development Director for LiveWest, said: “Rural Housing Week is an ideal opportunity to highlight how rural housing developments offer a lifeline to local people and underlines how vital housing is for the survival of rural communities and services

“With more than 550 rural homes planned for the next two years, we remain committed to providing great homes and helping to sustain vibrant rural communities ”

New decarbonisation framework for Scotland

A new framework has been launched to provide retrofit and professional consultancy services to support Registered Social Landlords with the delivery of decarbonisation works Developed with Contracting Authority Abri, on behalf of The Greener Futures Partnership (GFP), the seven-year framework has been designed to ensure that homes achieve the energy efficiency standard for social housing

The multi-lot, multi-supplier framework covers Scotland, with a separate parallel framework for England and Wales It has been designed with flexibility in mind to enable organisations large and small to deliver a full range of retrofit works through a one-stop shop solution

Jessica John, Director of Framework Partnerships at Pretium Frameworks, says: “We’re delighted to be launching this much-needed new framework for the delivery of decarbonisation works and services, which provides the perfect vehicle for supporting the housing sector in Scotland to tackle the sustainability challenge and meet the energy efficiency standard for social housing ”

The framework is open to any Registered Social Landlord in Scotland, any other Contracting Authority in Scotland as defined in the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and any entity within the same group of companies as a GFP member, operating within Scotland For more information on accessing the framework email gfpscotland@pretium.co.uk

In Somerset, a partnership between LiveWest and EG Carter, and supported by Lympsham Parish Council and Sedgemoor District Council, resulted in the completion of 20 homes in the village of Lympsham

Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of SFHA, with Lesley Anderson, SPA Director

Protective Measures for Buildings Insights with

Keepmoat becomes strategic partner of WMCA

Keepmoat has become the latest strategic partner of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), with a commitment to build 4,000 additional new homes in the West Midlands Keepmoat has also committed to aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions when building on brownfield sites and to increase its housebuilding by 50% across the West Midlands

As a strategic partner, Keepmoat will build a range of homes across different tenure types in the West Midlands, creating hundreds of new jobs for local people and generating at least 250 new apprenticeships At least 70% of the workforce needed to deliver the homes will be employed from within a 30-mile radius, while building supplies and materials will be purchased from West Midlands-based businesses wherever possible

the memorandum of understanding between Keepmoat and WMCA also supports the Combined Authority’s wider aim of creating a fairer, greener and more prosperous West Midlands In March, a ground-breaking Deeper Devolution Deal was secured between WMCA and Central government, giving WMCA wide-ranging new powers and additional funding in excess of £1 5bn to level up the West Midlands the homebuilder’s investment into the region will support the West Midlands target of delivering 215,000 new homes by 2031

Charlotte goode, Divisional Chair for Keepmoat West Midlands & East Midlands, comments: “We are delighted that we have been named as a strategic partner of the WMCA and that our work in the region continues to go from strength to strength

the latest strategic Partner Mou also bolsters the West Midlands’ Plan for growth a roadmap to develop eight specific industrial clusters where the region already has a competitive advantage, one of which is housing Andy street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of West Midlands Combined Authority, says: “I am delighted we have been able to sign this deal with Keepmoat that will see even more homes, jobs, and investment come to the region ”

Latest guidance on protecting buildings from ground gas

The A Proctor Group has over 20 years of experience providing solutions for the development of brownfield land and an extensive range of products and solutions that will cater to most scenarios from ground gases, including Radon. In this article, Mathew Spiller, National Technical Sales Manager Ground Gas Protection, highlights the latest guidance on protective measures for new buildings to reduce the risk of radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring, colourless and odourless radioactive gas It is the uK’s second largest cause of lung cancer after smoking (1,200 deaths per year, according to the uKHsA) the principal source of Radon guidance in the uK is the BRE document “BR211 Radon: guidance on protective measures for new buildings” the latest update of BR211 (including supplementary advice for extensions, conversions and refurbishment projects) 2023”, went live on 6th June some of the key changes that contractors should note are listed below the minimum thickness of protective membranes has been increased from 0 3mm to 0 4mm to ensure that Radon membranes are robust enough to survive the on-site installation process this moves guidance in line with BBA certification requirements

One product that meets the new criteria is Protech Radon 400, which is a 0 4mm thick, virgin lDPE membrane with polyester reinforcing scrim to ensure the highest level of robustness to date, installers have been very positive about the application and performance of the membrane

Following installation, it is important that the Radon protective measures are inspected and signed off by a competent validator this allows any poor joints or damaged areas to be repaired prior to covering up the A Proctor group’s experienced technical support team can assist in specifying suitable Radon protection systems fit the individual project circumstances

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority, signs the Memorandum of Understanding with Charlotte Goode, Regional Managing Director of Keepmoat

PROJECT UPDATE NEWS:

Work s t a r t s on final phase of Foxhall Village West site

The group including the Chief Executive Officer of Homes England, Peter Denton and Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Councillor Lynn Williams joined Matthew Harrison, Chief Executive at Great Places on a tour of the site The project delivered in partnership with Blackpool Council, designed by Cassidy + Ashton, being constructed by Tyson Construction, and part funded by Homes England, will deliver the final phase of 88 new homes, with completion due in 2025

Work has been ongoing at Foxhall Village since the original masterplan for a new neighbourhood was prepared in 2012 Blackpool Council and Great Places have worked in partnership to enable the completion of the remaining residential phase of Foxhall Village West after the

original developers went into administration in 2019 New site plans were developed to deliver a mix of two-, three- and four-bed homes for affordable rent Both Blackpool Council and Great Places have shown real commitment to ensure the remainder of Foxhall Village West is delivered Helen Spencer, Executive Director of Growth at Great Places, says: “We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to show key partners around the final phase of this excellent development Foxhall Village is one of the projects that we ’ re most proud to have been involved with over the past decade This will not only secure the completion of the West site, but also provide an additional 88 much-needed affordable homes in the local area

“As long-term owners and investors in Foxhall Village, we were committed to

working with the council and other local stakeholders to find a solution for this complex and difficult site, while maximising the impact of our investment It’s brilliant to achieve that and evidence our commitment to ensuring the long-term success of Foxhall Village as a thriving local community ”

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Levelling Up – Place, adds: “It is fantastic to see work commence on the final phase of Foxhall Village’s West site development The council has always been determined to see this phase completed and provide a significant number of affordable homes for many people Our close working relationship and partnership with Great Places has helped deliver a really positive outcome for the progression of this Blackpool flagship housing scheme ”

Great Places Housing Group hosted senior executives from Homes England and Blackpool Council at a visit to mark the official start of work on the final phase of Blackpool’s flagship Foxhall Village West site.

£250m garden village at Seaham

the creation of a new landscapeled garden village on the Durham Coast is underway as three housing developers lay the foundations for the development of a thriving new community

Existing infrastructure works are underway on the new seaham garden Village development, which will see 1,500 new homes built over the next 10 years there will be a range of homes available, with 750 of the homes being developed for private sale by taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes, and the remaining 750 homes being developed by Karbon Homes for a mix of both affordable rent and affordable home ownership options through shared ownership and rent to buy sarah Robson, Director of Development and Regeneration at Karbon Homes says: “It’s great to see work getting underway at seaham garden Village there’s been lots of work to get to this point and starting on site is testament to the hard work of multiple parties, including the developers, Durham County Council and Homes England

“Working with taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes is a great opportunity and between us we are focused on delivering a great place to live with different tenure options and various types of homes ”

Energy-efficient homes

Homes Plus is nearing completion on a £2 3m project to make 129 homes warmer, greener and cheaper to run the housing association, more than 19,000 homes

across staffordshire and shropshire, has been working with contractor Broad Oak to upgrade the energy efficiency of its existing housing, particularly older homes that were not built to today's stringent energy-efficiency standards

the properties have benefitted from wall and loft insulation, draught proofing and improved heating systems, as well as low carbon technologies including air source heat pumps and solar where possible

Homes Plus successfully bid for £1 2m in funding for the project from the government's social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (sHDF), with the housing association investing a further £1 1m in the project Homes Plus worked with stafford Borough Council, south staffordshire Council and shropshire Council to secure funding from the first wave of sHDF last spring

Set ting the standard

Construction membranes from glidevale Protect have been installed throughout a flagship low carbon new-build development for social housing provider, One Manchester, helping meet stringent airtightness and energy efficiency targets situated at Blackrock street in Manchester, sustainability is at the heart of the development’s future-proofed design the development comprises 22 properties, incorporating two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, with two dwellings achieving net zero carbon status, making them the first social homes in the uK to achieve this landmark, with all other plots being built to strict Passivhaus standards the homes were built offsite using a timber frame panelised system from Kingspan timber solutions and constructed onsite by John southworth Builders limited, with design expertise provided by gWP Architecture and Eco-Res limited the low emissivity Protect thermo Extreme reflective membrane was used on all external walls to deliver enhanced thermal performance, creating a radiant barrier to help improve energy retention, alongside the tF200 Extreme breather membrane installed on spandrel panels, offering the required protection from water ingress and the control of condensation risk On internal walls, the Protect BarriAir air and vapour control membrane was used on all properties, ensuring airtightness results were under the required Passivhaus threshold of 0 6 ACH @ 50Pa Victoria young, Regeneration Manager of One Manchester comments: “this low carbon scheme helps One Manchester to be at the forefront of sustainability, whilst meeting the demands of Passivhaus design principles By using a fabric first approach, we combined glidevale Protect’s high performance, reflective membrane for external walls with an internal airtightness and vapour control layer this helped to improve thermal efficiency and ensure low u-values, thereby contributing to a low ecological footprint on each home ”

n For more information visit https://glidevaleprotect.com/case-studies

From left to right, Steve McCann, Technical Director at Miller Homes, Sarah Robson, Director of Development and Regeneration at Karbon Homes, David Abercrombie, Technical Director at Taylor Wimpey North East

Broad Oak Operations Manager Neil Holmes, Executive Director of Property at Homes Plus Andrew Kenny, Director of Asset Management at Homes Plus Dan Timmis and customers Shirley and John

Construction membranes help One Manchester to set the standard for energy efficiency.

Protect Thermo Extreme reflective membrane being installed on One Manchester’s new development on Blackrock Street

Achieving Energy Efficiency with

A n e w D e c e n t H o m e s S t a n d a r d

Matthew Warbur ton, Policy Advisor for the Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH), discusses the need to update the Decent Homes Standard

Early in 2021, the government invited ARCH and other sector bodies to join a sounding Board to begin the review of the Decent Homes standard that was promised in the Housing White Paper published in the previous year Four meetings were held to review the case for updating each of the four criteria in the current definition of a decent home

Following a decision that the standard did indeed need to be updated, meetings began again early 2022 to discuss the necessary changes but were soon paused the reason became clear when, in June, the Private Rented sector White Paper announced the government’s intention to extend the DHs to cover private rented homes. Meanwhile, the Levelling up White Paper included a commitment to halve the number of non-decent rented homes by 2030, “with the biggest improvements in the worst-performing areas”

Meetings of an expanded sounding Board, now also including bodies with interests in the private rented sector, began again earlier this year, working to a very tight timetable so that the updated DHs can be ready before legislation applying it to the private rented sector comes into force It looks likely that there will be a formal consultation on the proposed changes later this year

Long overdue

there can be no denying that the DHs is in need of updating; the current version

dates from 2006 and contains several features that now seem difficult to defend. to be decent, a home must be in a reasonable state of repair It will be nondecent if one or more “key” building components are old and, because of their condition, need replacement or major repair, or if two or more other building components are old or in poor condition.

unlike roofs and windows, kitchen and bathroom fittings are not defined as key components because, if they are in poor condition, this may have no immediate impact on the structural integrity of the building so a home may have either a kitchen or a bathroom that is old and in poor condition, but will be classed ‘decent’ unless both are

Another criterion of decency is that a home must have reasonably modern facilities and services A home is considered not to meet this criterion if it lacks three or more of the following facilities:

l A kitchen which is 20 years old or less

l A kitchen with adequate space or layout

l A bathroom which is 30 years old or less

l An appropriately located bathroom and WC

l Adequate external noise insulation

l Adequate size and layout of common entrance areas for blocks of flats

Here again it is possible for a home to be judged ‘decent’ even though it lacks an adequate modern kitchen or bathroom (but not both)

Costs of implementation

If the aim is for the DHs to set a minimum baseline that every tenant should be able to expect in the third decade of the 21st Century, it must surely aim to ensure that every home included all the facilities listed above and in good working order.

these are only two examples where there is a need for an updated DHs to lift the bar that landlords are expected to meet But meeting the new standards will inevitably mean additional costs, alongside those arising from the new building safety regime and the need for decarbonisation, which will put additional pressure on future rent levels When the new standard is put out for consultation, we will need a serious discussion with government on costs of implementation and how they are to be met.

www.arch-housing.org.uk

Lakeside living

B3Living is deliver ing its largest housing development to date at Cheshunt Lakeside, which is par t of a much larger regeneration scheme in the Borough of Broxbour ne set to deliver thousands of new homes, as well as a new pr imar y school, commercial facilities and open spaces Claire Clutten speaks to Jon Hayden, Executive Director (Development) at B3Living, to find out more about this ambitious project.

With the current cost-of-living crisis, rising household bills and recent research from the House Buyer Bureau suggesting that ‘the average homebuyer requires 8 8 times their income to cover the cost of a home’, the need for more affordable housing across the UK couldn’t be more significant, especially in areas like the South-east of England where the affordability crisis is most acute

Alongside the picturesque Lea Valley Park, a major new urban village is being built which will feature green corridors, pocket parks and cycle routes on a brownfield site that was previously 90% concreted over Once complete, the development will provide 1,700 new

DEVELOPMENT

The podium garden at the Quadra Apartments, Cheshunt Lakeside

Pod point electric charging point outside the Quadra Apartments

Green walkway, Quadra Apartments, Cheshunt Lakeside

PROJECT PROFILE: B3LIVING’S CHESHUNT LAKESIDE DEVELOPMENT

be built at Cheshunt Lakeside as part of phase one of the development and the 195 homes consist of 83 for shared ownership and 112 for affordable rent

allocation of affordable homes on the development wasn’t viable

homes, 1,900sqft of commercial space, eight football pitch size areas of new open space, a new primary school and £14m of community infrastructure improvements

The project in Cheshunt is significant for the housing association, as it’s B3Living’s largest development to date, built on the site of what was once home to Tesco’s UK headquarters before the supermarket chain moved to Welwyn Garden City

Tesco was a major employer in the Borough of Broxbourne, and an important part of the local economy, people who worked at the headquarters lived in the area and spent money locally Its departure was keenly felt Jon tells me: “The local authority and Inland Homes needed to find a solution, so Inland came in and assembled most of the land down Delamere Road, where they have permission for 1,700 apartments ”

Cheshunt Lakeside

In addition to the new homes and creation of a green corridor running the entire length of the Lakeside regeneration site, there will be shops and places of work to support the local economy B3Living’s Quadra apartments are the first homes to

The apartments were originally intended for outright sale, but this changed with the arrival of Covid in 2020 Jon explains: “We needed to find a solution with Inland in terms of how the regeneration project could start B3Living had a number of meetings with Inland Homes and we agreed to work to try to deliver a deal in the early summer months of 2020, just after Covid hit We had to complete a deal in six to eight weeks and exchange contracts before we could make this particular development happen, so there was a lot of hard work in a very short space of time ”

This involved a lot of online meetings due to lockdown restrictions Jon continues: “In Autumn 2020 we completed legals on the development We bought the land off Inland Homes at open market sale with the help of grant funding from Homes England and signed a building contract with them, and then over the last couple of years they have been working to deliver the development ”

More affordable homes

Cheshunt Lakeside is a massive regeneration project Of the 1,700 new homes to be built, only 10% (170) was originally allocated for affordable housing across the entire scheme through Section 106 The reason for this, Jon says, is due to the fact that Inland Homes needed to build a new school and deliver a significant amount of infrastructure across the site, which meant providing the normal policy

B3Living saw a real opportunity to dramatically increase the level of affordable homes on the site In the local area, to buy a home you need 12 times your salary to be able to afford it, says Jon The housing association conducted purpose work to uncover the local housing need Jon says: “We did quite a big piece of research, working very closely with the local authority and the key need that came out of that was one- and two-bedroom homes

“Working with the Borough of Broxbourne and Inland, we ’ ve delivered 195 affordable homes and those 170, which are part of the Section 106, are yet to be delivered, so that’s really brilliant news because we ’ re providing greater access to more affordable homes for local people that need it Through this project we ’ ve managed to deliver 195 homes of the particular need that the local authority has been looking for and it’s really helped them with their housing waiting lists, identifying local people and giving them access to the housing ladder ”

Design and community consultation

Being heavily involved in the design has enabled the housing association to offer a number of options on this development that it hasn’t been able to on others The shared ownership apartments have been delivered to a very high specification and feature composite worktops and high quality kitchen units, down lighters and white goods, as well as the latest technology “We’ve gone above and

“ We d i d q u i t e a b i g p i e c e o f re s e a rc h , wo r k i n g ve r y c l o s e l y w i t h t h e l o c a l a u t h o r i t y a n d t h e key n e e d t h a t c a m e o u t o f t h a t wa s o n e - a n d t wob e d ro o m h o m e s

Green walkways through the Quadra Apartments

Inside one of the Quadra Apartments, Cheshunt Lakeside

beyond in terms of what we ’ re delivering,” says Jon

The affordable rent homes have also been completed to a high standard Jon says: “We put carpets and decent floor finishes in every single new-build affordable home We also either keep the carpets and floor fittings, or put brand new carpets into our existing properties, because we feel that’s really important ”

Customer experience is an integral part of B3Living’s corporate strategy, and keen to engage the opinions of its existing residents, the housing association consulted with its customer community group and asked the question, if you were moving into these new homes, what would you prefer an ensuite or extra storage space?

Jon elaborates: “Because of the cost of delivering affordable homes, you often don’t ever get a choice of having an ensuite You’ll have a family bathroom or a downstairs toilet, but you wouldn’t have a bathroom and an ensuite to a main bedroom The feedback really helped us at that very early stage We’ve provided a mixture of storage as well as additional bathrooms for people ”

Building specification

B3Living’s corporate strategy has a strong focus on customer experience, delivering quality homes, cutting carbon and building locally, and this particular scheme “ticks practically every box,” says Jon

Electric car charging points have been installed in the parking area outside the apartment block Jon says: “We’ve also

got the infrastructure built in so if more car charging points are needed, all the kit is in the ground ready to connect up, so it’s future-proofed, which is brilliant ”

The apartment blocks achieve an EPC B rating and are extremely energyefficient All the homes are fitted with electric boilers and there are solar PV panels installed on the roof Jon says: “The electricity for the door system, and the lighting in the communal areas and car parks is generated from the solar panels That means when you have service charges coming out to customers they are dramatically reduced and it’s something they don’t have to worry about because the building is creating the electricity to keep service costs down, which is amazing ”

When the former Tesco buildings were demolished, a high proportion of the hardcore from those buildings was reused in the construction of the new apartment blocks Jon says: “What was there before has been recycled and it means again from that carbon point of view, you ’ re not getting lots of lorries bringing in hardcore from elsewhere, it’s literally on the site ready to use ”

Jon adds: “The homes are incredibly warm and we ’ ve already got customers telling us that they are very energyefficient and it’s saving them on heating bills, which particularly with the energy crisis at the minute is great ”

B3Living worked with the developer to mitigate any fire-related risks and an independent fire consultant was employed

to provide a fire strategy Sprinkler systems have been installed in every apartment Jon says: “As a landlord we felt we had a responsibility to do that That cost extra to put in but it’s worth every single penny in terms of what we ’ re doing We’ve also got all the SW1s for the scheme you’d expect and noncombustible balconies ”

Regeneration impact

This is major regeneration project, which will create a vibrant new community, delivering thousands of new high quality homes and a vital boost to the local economy Thanks to B3Living’s involvement, the number of affordable homes on the site has more than doubled With the first phase complete, there are another 1,500 apartments to be built on the site, as well a new school and a commercial hub featuring a supermarket, offices and community facilities, providing a plethora of employment opportunities for local people

Jon concludes: “If you were looking for an archetypal scheme in terms of how to build something that has the best of everything, in my 25/30 years of development, I haven’t had a scheme which has been up to this particular quality and had the ingredients in specification and design this scheme’s had Yes we ’ re very fortunate, we were in the right place at the right time in terms of working, but you make your own luck We’ve found the partnership and quality on this particular development absolutely unbelievable ”

A master bedroom in one of the Quadra Apartments, Cheshunt Lakeside The balcony of the show home at the Quadra Apartments

Providing an equitable ser vice

To

As social landlords when we say that everyone has the right to live in a safe, secure home, we need to ensure that this really does mean everyone, no matter who they are or what their unique set of circumstances is

As we launch our new five-year strategy at ForHousing, our vision is to positively impact the lives of our social housing tenants to ensure we are providing an equitable service, this crucially means that we can never take a one-size-fits-all approach there is no one type of ‘house’ that is safe and secure for all and we need a tailored approach We know, and it is only reinforced by getting to know our tenants better, that a home is the foundation we all need to build our future on

Of course, there is no set definition of what a safe home is People’s lives are complex and layered there could be health needs, access needs someone could be a care leaver or at risk of homelessness someone might need just a little bit of extra support to live independently this is why bespoke, specialist approaches are vital if we are to provide equitable and efficient services

Not just bricks and mortar

For someone who is at risk of homelessness, a safe home is not just a bricks and mortar building It also has the right wrap-around support to help them settle into what is perhaps the first consistent place they have ever stayed It’s support around mental health and identifying aspirations around skills and future job

opportunities this is why ForHousing invested £3 9m into transforming derelict garage sites in Eccles, salford into 39 homes, specifically developed to support people at risk of homelessness

In addition to aspirational, modern apartments, we developed a specialist service Each tenant is allocated a dedicated support worker who helps them settle in, improve well-being, and access training and employment services As a result, to date, eight people have secured permanent jobs

For someone who is fleeing violence, a home needs to be somewhere anonymous and secure, with support in place from people who will believe you this is why we have partnered with salford Foundation Charity to look to develop 35 homes for rent in Eccles specifically for women fleeing domestic abuse

For someone who is disabled or chronically ill, it is a home that meets their specific needs, and perhaps with a sliding scale of support available so that they can live and thrive independently this is the ethos of our extra care schemes like Jackson gardens in Knowsley, which is home to 96 tenants and recently marked its first anniversary 79-year-old resident george told us: “What stands out in my mind is how helpful the staff are you feel very secure and valued here at Jackson gardens ”

Wider support

We are committed to getting to know people in our communities and providing the type of good quality homes people need We also have to take into account what’s going on in

the wider world in our planning We’re proud to be working with local authority partners on plans to provide 20 homes in salford and 30 homes in Cheshire West and Chester to Afghan and ukrainian refugees

At ForHousing it’s not just about numbers, it never is It’s about people And this is why we are committed to providing safe, well-maintained, affordable homes that truly meet people’s needs and support them to build a brighter future success to us is when people like Amanda* who was homeless, can say “I love living here I love the independence and freedom ”

* name changed to protect the identity of the tenant

be tr uly equitable we have to provide homes with real people in mind, says Nigel Sedman, Executive Director of Homes at ForHousing.

Opening event for ForHousing’s Jackson Gardens extra care scheme Tenants at ForHousing’s Jackson Gardens

When specifying paint for a project, one of the simplest routes to a more sustainable approach is opting for water-based paint significant strides have been made in developing durable waterbased paint that can deliver the durability of traditional solvent-based products but with more limited Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content

VOCs are chemical vapours that are greenhouse gases and therefore contribute to global warming, and ground level pollution Exposure to high levels of VOCs can have negative effects on the health of both the applier and occupant to minimise exposure, spaces need to be well ventilated and may not be suitable for occupation for some time after the paint has been applied, causing major disruption to residents this is particularly important to consider for vulnerable occupants such as the elderly or young children especially if they suffer from respiratory illnesses therefore, when specifying paint for healthcare environments or education spaces it is crucial to identify the VOC content

Dulux trade offers the airsure range of paints that are 99 9% VOC free* this range now includes the recently reformulated Dulux trade Diamond Matt the paint is also compliant with BREEaM, lEED and WEll environmental standards for added reassurance that it delivers sustainability benefits

Extend maintenance cycles

While extending maintenance cycles helps to minimise cost it also aligns with sustainable building design Ensuring that the paints and coatings used will stand the test of time and reduce the need for ongoing maintenance, can cut costs, minimise disruption and help to reduce emissions across a building’s life cycle

Paints and coatings that do not hold colour well or become easily damaged will have shorter maintenance cycles, meaning the paint will need to be reapplied more regularly However, opting for paints such as Dulux trade scuffshield Matt, which are designed to stand the test of time, will help keep walls looking fresher for longer six times more scuff resistant than standard matt paint**, the ultimate scuff-resistant technology in Dulux trade scuffshield Matt was created to protect walls against scuff marks left behind from shoes, bags, furniture and more this makes it ideal for high-traffic areas like communal corridors, entryways, and stairwells

Waste

sustainable ambitions shouldn’t stop once the paint is specified and applied With large quantities of construction waste ending up in landfill sites, it is important to ensure the responsible disposal of empty paint cans Dulux Decorator Centres runs a

Duncan Lochhead, Commercial Sustainability Manager at Dulux Decorator Centre, shares the key considerations when creating sustainable paint specifications

free of charge can recycling scheme that makes it easy to dispose of empty paint cans responsibly and sustainably the empty and dry cans can be collected by the Dulux Decorator Centre team from site if they are already making a delivery, alternatively, the empty cans can be deposited in store all plastic is then shredded and sent back into the plastics market where it is turned into low-grade plastic products like underground pipework and metal is melted down and returned to the general market

Dulux Decorator Centre has focused for years on developing tools to help built environment specifiers working in a variety of sectors from social housing and education, to aged care and healthcare Its expert team understands that every sector presents a variety of challenges, and this knowledge will ensure that the products specified are the most appropriate for the location, environment, and substrate type

* Based on in-can VOC content, measured in accordance with IsO 11890-2:2013

** achieves Class 1 IsO 11998 and type C Bs 7719 scrub ratings

n To find out how Dulux Decorator Centre can help you with your projects visit:

www duluxdecorator centre.co.uk/paint-specification

l u x D e c o r a t o r C e n t r e

Dulux Decorator Centres runs a free of charge empty can recycling scheme

Local author ities and housing associations are increasingly looking to specify solutions that can contr ibute to net zero ambitions and or iginate from a more sustainable source.

Enhancing quality and compliance

The Building Safety Act 2022 marked a significant turning point in the construction industry, bringing about the most substantial changes in over three decades. The regulations have become increasingly stringent, emphasising the need for compliance and, above all, safety.

Building Control Services, such as those offered by Global Home Warranties, encompass a comprehensive range of regulations, standards, and processes designed to safeguard the construction of residential properties, ensuring they meet safety, structural, and energy efficiency legislation.

The importance of Building Control cannot be overstated. It serves to mitigate risks and protect developers, housebuilders, housing associations and councils from unforeseen issues that could lead to delays and increased costs. By partnering with approved inspectors and implementing rigorous control procedures, a good building control service ensures that the properties covered by its warranties are constructed and maintained to the highest industry standards.

To achieve these high standards, Building Control services adopt cuttingedge technologies, tools, and software that streamline inspections, enhance efficiency, and maintain vital documentation. These practices guarantee that the properties are accessible, safe, healthy, and energyefficient, safeguarding your assets now and in the future.

Collaborative approach

Effective collaboration lies at the heart of successful Building Control. Building Surveyors work closely with approved inspectors and key project personnel to ensure compliance with legislation and codes in every aspect of the build. By fostering effective communication and early collaboration, potential risks are identified and addressed at an early stage, reducing the likelihood of future issues that could result in costly delays.

A notable change from the Building Safety Act 2022 is the upcoming introduction, in October 2023, of a statutory register for all building control professionals. This register mandates that every building control professional must prove their competency to obtain a license and continue practicing. Global Home Warranty's accomplished team of building surveyors welcomes this change and is already adhering to the highest standards to protect local authorities and housing associations from costly and timeconsuming administration and ensure each building is constructed to exact specification and quality.

Global Home Warranties' building surveyors meticulously review construction plans, assess material specifications, and conduct on-site inspections. Their extensive knowledge of construction practices and regulations enables them to identify potential issues and ensure compliance at every stage. This expertise, combined with their comprehensive structural warranty, makes Building Control Services the ideal

companion, offering extra protection through one succinct report and two certificates.

Streamlined process

Global Home Warranties combines Building Control services with their warranty inspections. This means that the same qualified building surveyor carries out both inspections, resulting in a quicker and more streamlined process. Additionally, an ability to have on call a responsive team ensures a reduced timeframe for surveys, allowing for faster responses compared to larger corporations.

To maintain a comprehensive understanding of evolving regulations, a good warranty provider such as Global Home Warranties, actively participates in industry forums, engages with professional bodies, and conducts regular training for their building control officers, staying upto-date with changes in building codes, energy efficiency requirements, and environmental standards.

Building control plays an integral role in delivering quality and compliance for local authorities and housing associations. By prioritising stringent control procedures, embracing technological advancements, and fostering collaboration with Approved Inspectors, companies like Global Home Warranties, demonstrates their commitment to providing reliable and comprehensive home warranties.

n More information on Global Home Warranties and its services here www.globalhomewarranties.com

Maurice

Johnston,

Managing Surveyor

at

Global Home Warranties,

delves into the critical role of building control in ensuring quality and compliance, specifically tailored to the interests of UK local

authorities and housing associations.

Maurice Johnston, Managing Surveyor at Global Home Warranties

Preventative action

Despite growing awareness of the importance of fire safety measures in the home, the number of people who died in UK fires rose last year There were 33,390 accidental fires reported in the UK in 2021/22, with 334 fire-related deaths a 7% rise on the previous year This worrying increase highlights the need to take a fresh look at how we protect people in their homes and reduce the risk of fire

Ageing population

Most fire-related deaths (76%) happen in the home There were 4 8 fire-related fatalities for every million people in England, with the highest rate among older people 10 4 per million 65-79-year-olds, increasing to 19 7 for people aged 80-plus

With an ageing UK population, it is likely this number will rise further Statistics suggest that, over the next 10 years, the number of people aged 65plus will grow from 11 million to 13 million 22% of the population

There is an urgent need for social housing landlords and providers of care and support services to take steps to identify older residents who may need extra levels of protection in case of fire

Time is of the essence

All fire safety is focused on time For example, a performance-based fire strategy may compare the time required for occupants to reach a place of relative safety (Required Safe Escape Time or RSET) with the time available to reach a place of relative safety before survivable conditions are no longer intact (Available Safe Escape Time or ASET)

S i m i l a r l y, m a t e r i a l s u s e d a r e m

s e n r a t i n g l e v e l

Activated fire suppression systems have response times characterised by the Response Time Index (RTI) and Conductivity (C) factor The RTI provides a thermal time constant for the heat responsive element, while the C factor represents the heat loss to surrounding physical components The higher these values, the longer the head or nozzle will take to respond to a fire

Time is also at the heart of guidance around fire drills, which should be carried out annually, and fire alarm testing, which should be done every week

When it comes to more vulnerable residents who would struggle to escape

Yusuf Muhammad, Chief Design Officer at Br itish Engineer ing company and misting manufacturer Plumis, says it’s time for a fresh approach to prevent fire-related deaths

Automist has been independently tested and provides BS 8458 fire performance

Yusuf Muhammad, Chief Design Officer at Plumis

in the event of a fire, the key is to invest in measures that buy more time to keep them safe until the fire service arrives to rescue them

Tailored approach

With time being such a critical factor when a fire occurs, along with the recognition of our ageing population, Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs) are crucial to enable social housing and support providers to draw up effective fire safety strategies

While certain buildings, such as high-rise apartment blocks, present unique fire safety challenges, statistics show that particular types of occupants are at greater risk

PCFRAs are a powerful tool in keeping people safe, enabling landlords to

understand the specific needs of vulnerable individuals at higher risk and to then implement appropriate measures to mitigate those risks

Taking into account the heightened risks for older, more vulnerable residents, a government consultation carried out into the use of fire sprinklers in care homes, concluded: “We consider sprinklers provide particular benefit for low frequency, high consequence incidents where there is unexpected early fire spread and delays in evacuation The addition of sprinklers would provide another layer of protection to control fire and help avoid multi-fatality incidents arising from early fire spread ”

Fit for purpose

When people consider their options around automatic systems to tackle fires, traditional water sprinklers generally spring to mind, but it should be remembered that they are not a blanket solution for all situations

For example, such conventional sprinkler systems may not operate quickly enough to prevent death or serious injury of people in the room where the fire started Home Office data shows that between 2010 and 2020, nine people died in homes protected by fire sprinklers In all but one of these cases, the victim was over the age of 65

A study of fatal residential fires, where sprinklers were present, found that the circumstances of the fire fell outside the life-saving operating parameters of the system's design Typically, the victim was also unable to move away from the fire or remove burning clothing due to mobility issues, and often they were medically more likely to succumb to burns or smoke inhalation due to age or infirmity

Exploring alternative solutions

Our watermist sprinkler system has been designed to offer improved protection for vulnerable occupants By operating at the earliest opportunity it helps to maintain

survivable conditions, providing valuable extra time for escape or rescue

When we were developing our Automist products, we spoke to world-leading toxicologist Professor David Purser to understand the factors which would influence means of escape

Electronic activation can enable fires to be tackled earlier, limiting the build-up of toxic smoke, which is the biggest danger in domestic fires The speed of activation is of course very important for vulnerable occupants, as they may be unable to move away from the heat source which has to reach a significant temperature to activate a traditional domestic sprinkler system

So, by taking proactive steps to prevent fires from breaking out while also having the right technology in place to detect fires quickly and efficiently, we can significantly improve how a potential fire is tackled and maximise occupants’ safety

Although this may sound like a timeconsuming and costly option, the advances and flexibility of electronic watermist suppression systems ensures that is not the case Today, many fire suppression technologies can be retrofitted flat-by-flat or to a whole residential block, with little or no disruption to residents

Now, more than ever, housing providers are under pressure to make sure their homes are safe for their residents So, we urge landlords to act now by implementing additional layers of fire protection, rather than simply aiming to meet minimum requirements or awaiting the announcement of new regulatory controls

If a fire is detected, the sprayhead best positioned to tackle it targets it with watermist

rdr.link

Introducing rdr.link

A new digital service for our readers

With a wide array of online resources supporting the latest solutions – from videos to technical guides, PDFs to Podcasts – it can be a challenge to locate what you need.

To ensure you don’t miss out on these valuable resources, we are introducing rdr.link – a new, rapid service to transport you immediately to the online resources mentioned in our stories.

So, in articles you may now see things like: “To view an exclusive time-lapse video of the process use rdr.link/AA101”

Simply enter rdr.link/ with the unique 5 digit code into a browser and it will take you directly to the mentioned resource – in this case the video.

Designed to help busy professionals rapidly locate more information – look out for & use rdr.link

S m a r t e r s u s t a i n a b l e d r a i n a g e

A s t h e G re a t B r i t i s h s u m m e r p i c k s u p a g a i n , s o t o o d o t h e c y c l e s o f d r y h e a t a n d s t o r m y d o w n p o u r s t h a t p u t p re s s u re o n o u r o u t - d a t e d w a t e r i n f r a s t r u c t u re . S u s t a i n a b l e d r a i n a g e s y s t e m s ( S u D S ) a re t h e s o l u t i o n t h a t i n d u s t r y f i g u re s a n d l e g i s l a t o r s a re t u r n i n g t o , b u t t h e i r i m p l e m e n t a t i o n i s e a s i e r s a i d t h a n d o n e i n u r b a n l o c a t i o n s w h e re s p a c e i s o f t e n a t a p re m i u m H e re , M a r t i n L a m b l e y, P ro d u c t M a n a g e r f o r U r b a n C l i m a t e R e s i l i e n c e a t Wa v i n e x p l o re s h o w t h e l a t e s t s y s t e m s a re d e s i g n e d t o w o r k i n a t i g h t s p o t

Th e f l u c t u a t i o n b e t w e e n l o n g d r y s p e l l s a n d h e a v y t h u n d e r s t o r m s c a n s t r e t c h w a t e r i n f r a s t r u c t u r e t o b r e a k i n g p o i n t , w i t h o u t - d a t e d d r a i n a g e t h a t s o l e l y m o v e s w a t e r o u t o f t o w n a s q u i c k l y a s p o s s i b l e o f t e n u n a b l e t o c o p e w i t h i n t e n s e r a i n f a l l e v e n t s B y c o n t r a s t , s u s t a i n a b l e d r a i n a g e s y s t e m s ( S u D S ) m i r r o r t h e n a t u r a l w a t e r c y c l e, a n d t h e l a t e s t s o l u t i o n s a r e d e s i g n e d t o b e i m p l e m e n t e d q u i c k l y a n d s a f e l y i n t h e i m p e r m e a b l e u r b a n e n v i r o n m e n t s w h e r e t h e y ’ r e n e e d e d m o s t

Stackable safety

SuDS come in all shapes and sizes, often combining natural and human-made components Attenuation tanks are one type of SuDS that play a key role in mitigating the impact of heavy rainfall However, these can be large and bulky, which poses a unique challenge in urban locations where space is more restricted Projects are under pressure to avoid delays, which is why it is important to opt for rainwater solutions that are straightforward to install while still offering the necessary performance to perform long into the future

The latest generation of attenuation tanks are designed to fit smoothly into the construction process, even in tight urban spaces The AquaCell NG attenuation tank from Wavin is a great example of this kind of technology, featuring an innovative stackable design that means it can be stored in a quarter of the space of previous generations This helps to improve site safety by decluttering the work area

Site access is also no trivial matter in urban developments, where higher population density means projects are likely to have a greater impact on the community

Frequent deliveries can complicate the relationship between the project and the surrounding area, as well as incurring the cost of closing roads if necessary The stackable design of AquaCell NG means four times more product can be delivered each time, vastly reducing the disruption and making for a faster process overall

More in, less stall

Manufacturers have learned to walk in the shoes of those implementing their solutions on site, which has led to many embracing push-fit connectivity, which makes for a more straightforward build as well as a much faster job reducing the number of people needed in the trench Flexibility is another attribute that’s worth its weight in gold in urban environments there’s no one-size-fits-all worksite, and the need for adaptability is spurring a rise in popularity of modular design It gives architects and designers the freedom to fit attenuation tanks into whatever shape works for them, and with manufacturers such as Wavin having technical design specialists on-hand to advise, these powerful SuDS are now a more effective option on more projects

Designed for the future

Local authorities have an obligation to ensure housing stock is built to last Clearly, guarding against flood damage is a key part of this, with housing associations potentially liable for any repairs to fixtures and fittings that may be required From a financial perspective, opting for fit and forget technology that provides long-term defence against heavy rainfall can therefore provide peace of mind for local authorities

New legislation is also on the horizon that will mandate further inclusion of sustainable drainage in plans for new developments Schedule 3 of the Water and Environment Act is set to come into force in 2024 and will require developers to submit plans for sustainable drainage for approval before work can begin1

The new regulations point to a consensus among industry leaders and legislators that we can’t afford not to embrace SuDS on a large scale However, successful implementation of Schedule 3 will require collaboration to ensure that the new rules take off rather than put pressure on developers It means helping everyone get up to speed with the legislation and the solutions available

The impact of climate change on our weather patterns will only increase in the coming years 2023 is shaping up as the hottest year on record which is bad news for an urban water cycle and will only cause further problems if we don’t intervene SuDS are a game-changer, but they need to work on tricky urban worksites too With Schedule 3 on the horizon, next-generation attenuation tanks need to be city-smart and quick to install to meet the urban water management challenge

1 https://www gov uk/government/news/newapproach-to-sustainable-drainage-set-to-reduceflood-risk-and-clean-up-rivers

The stackable design of AquaCell NG means four times more product can be delivered each time

SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & PUBLIC BUILDINGS

A r a p i d

r e s p o n s e f o r

c r i t i c a l h o s p i t a l

s e r v i c e s

When there’s a need for speed, having a UK-based manufacturer can help with quicker delivery times. Saint-Gobain Weber has three manufacturing plants within the UK Bedfordshire, Shropshire and County Antrim. From flooring products to exter nal wall insulation (EWI) systems, the company shares with LABM how it has played an important part in making sure multiple hospital projects are delivered on time

When the operating theatres at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital were being refurbished, the hospital was still in use throughout the project Henry Boot Construction, the main contractor on the project, approached resin floor and concrete repair specialists Frescrete to prepare and install new floors Frescrete worked within strict hospital guidelines and to the contractor’s tight

timescale of 72 hours to minimise disruption This meant deliveries were arriving throughout the night, enabling work to commence early in the morning

A smooth finish

The floor had to meet surface regularity one (SR1) levels of flatness, and with a fixed timeframe to prime and install the floor with no room for error, Frescrete turned to Weber

“ F r e s c r e t e w e r e v e r y c l e a r a b o u t w h a t t h e y n e e d e d f r o m t h e s c r e e d ; e a s e o f a p p l i c a t i o n a n d f a s t d r y i n g t i m e, ” s a y s A n d r e w C o o p e r, Re g i o n a l S p e c i f i c a t i o n M a n a g e r f o r f l o o r i n g a t S a i n t - G o b a i n We b e r “ We s p e c i f i e d w e b e r f l o o r 4 7 1 6 p r i m e r a n d w e b e r f l o o r s m o o t h r a p i d 4 1 6 0 a s b o t h h a v e f a s t d r y i n g p r o p e r t i e s T h e w e b e r f l o o r s m o o t h r a p i d 4 1 6 0 w a s i d e a l f o r t h i s p r o j e c t a s i t c a n w i t h s t a n d l i g h t f o o t t r a f f i c a f t e r j u s t a f e w h o u r s a n d

Royal Hallamshire Hospital Photo courtesy of Gilling Dod Architects

Limerick Hospital. ©Clarke ECO Wall Ltd

t h e f i n a l f l o o r c o v e r i n g c a n b e i n s t a l l e d a f t e r 2 4 h o u r s ”

As this was Frescrete’s first time working with Weber’s flooring products, Kevin Grainger, Applications Manager at Saint-Gobain Weber, worked alongside the company to provide technical support “We primed the substrate within a day, applied the screed within 24 hours, and by the third day it was ready to have the vinyl covering fitted Three days to install 600m2 of flooring to precise levels of flatness is impressive,” says Joshua McKinlay,

Contracts Manager at Frescrete

In times of emergency

A new 60-bed ward block at University Hospital Limerick was built at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic despite both the UK and Ireland being in lockdown The Health Service Executive had been planning to upgrade and replace old ward blocks that were originally constructed in 1955 and to expand the number of beds at the hospital, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck

The need to increase capacity at the hospital became even more urgent as the existing facilities were not suitable for the volume of patients that were expected nor for minimising the risk of spreading the virus

Modular build

A r c h i t e c t s O’ B r i a i n B e a r y d e s i g n e d t h e n e w b l o c k u s i n g a c o n v e n t i o n a l l y b u i l t g r o u n d f l o o r p l a n t r o o m a s t h e b a s e A r a p i d b u i l d , m o d u l a r i s e d s t e e l f r a m e s y s t e m ( S F S ) w a s t h e n e r e c t e d a b o v e t h e p l a n t r o o m t o f o r m a t h r e e - s t o r e y b l o c k , w i t h t h r e e i n p a t i e n t w a r d s o f 2 0 e n s u i t e r o o m s w h i c h w o u l d h e l p s t a f f t o

i s o l a t e

p a t i e n t s a n d

i m p r o v e

i n f e c t i o n

c o n t r o l

c a p a b i l i t i e s

Once the steel frame was erected and cement board installed, the modular design specified an efficient, certified External Wall Insulation (EWI) system that met all stringent safety standards

Weber’s webertherm XM was identified as one of the only systems available that fulfilled the requirements EWI systems have huge thermal benefits for any building by conserving energy, minimising heat loss and reducing CO2 emissions In addition to this, having a fully certified noncombustible solution offers great peace of mind, as well as a fast-track way to provide an attractive and durable façade

However, as the UK and Ireland were in lockdown, Weber’s offices and manufacturing facilities were shut down Shane Kehoe, Weber’s Sales Manager for Ireland, was contacted by the Health Service Executive who confirmed that the project was considered essential work and as such, operations to supply materials could continue

“The problem was that one of our raw material suppliers was operating with a skeleton staff and had reduced their service making it difficult to deliver materials to site,” explains Shane

“After meetings at board level between contractors and raw material suppliers, we were able to put in place a production schedule to meet the fast-track timetable for this urgent project It was a real team effort between myself, Alan Burnell the Specifications Manager for Ireland

“A f t e r m e e t i n g s a t b o a r d l eve l b e t we e n c o n t ra c t o r s a n d ra w ma t e r i a l s u p p l i e r s , we we r e a b l e t o p u t i n p l a c e a p ro d u c t i o n

s c h e d u l e t o m e e t t h e fa s tt ra ck t i m e t a b l e fo r t h i s u rg e n t p ro j e c t . ”

and other members of Weber’s Ireland-based team ”

C l a r ke E C O Wa l l Lt d , a r e n d e r a n d

E W I s p e c i a l i s t , w a s e n l i s t e d t o i n s t a l l t h e

E W I s y s t e m f o r t h e 1 , 3 0 0 s q m p r o j e c t , w h i c h w a s s u p p l i e d t h r o u g h M u r d o c h B u i l d e r s M e r c h a n t s

The system included 160mm webertherm MFD mineral fibre insulation board to achieve a U-value of 0 14W/m2K, followed by weberend LAC rapid, and then webersil TF, a highly weather-resistant silicone decorative finish in Chalk

Weber’s team made weekly site visits to support the applicators to ensure the system was installed in line with Weber’s recommended best practice The project was completed in just 16 weeks with the first ward opening in November 2020 to enable Limerick Hospital to provide critical services to the surrounding community during the pandemic

The floor at Royal Hallamshire Hospital had to meet surface regularity one (SR1) levels of flatness

Weber’s webertherm XM EWi was installed at Limerick Hospital ©Clarke ECO Wall Ltd

n More information on SaintGobain Weber’s products and services here www.rdr.link/lal005

Building Regulations Part L Uplift

In December 2021, the Government released an update to Approved Document L, Conservation of fuel and power, providing revised practical guidance on how to meet the requirements of Building Regulations for England

Approved Document L came into effect on 15th June 2022, but allowed for a transitional period, meaning work subject to a building notice, full planning application or initial notice submitted before that date, providing the work for each building started before 15th June 2023, did not have to comply with the revised guidance As of 15th June 2023, that transitional phase is over Now, the uplift to Approved Document L applies to all

What is the driving force behind these changes and how might they impact heating systems in schools, hospitals and other non-domestic public sector buildings?

The road to net zero

The UK Government has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990 levels by 2050 Net zero, as the policy is referred to, would mean the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the UK would be equal to or less than the emissions removed from our

environment Achieving net zero is not going to be easy, but decarbonising our heating has a significant contribution to make Heating and hot water in buildings are responsible for a fifth (21%) of total carbon emissions in the UK The key aim of the recent changes to Approved Document L is to reduce CO2 emissions by 31% for dwellings and 27% for other buildings, whilst improving the overall energy efficiency of buildings

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund is a driving factor in reducing carbon emissions from public sector buildings, with the aim of a 75% reduction by 2037 compared to a 2017 baseline Phases 2 and 3 have a strong focus on heat decarbonisation, with phase 3 providing £1 425bn of grant funding over the financial years 2022/23 to 2024/25 to public sector bodies to install low carbon heating measures that reduce direct carbon emissions from their buildings

The latest grants, under phase 3a, saw local authorities receiving the largest number of grants (77 of the 231 grants), whilst the NHS received the largest proportion of funding, with £361m being invested through 38 grants A wide range of technologies were eligible for funding

through phases 2 and 3 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, with air source heat pumps by far the most popular

Energy efficiency improvements

Under the revised Approved Document L, a new building’s energy efficiency must be measured, using ‘Primary energy ’ in combination with CO2 metrics to assess compliance with Part L Primary energy calculations use several factors, including the efficiency of the building’s heating system and the energy used to produce fuel and deliver it to the building In the case of natural gas boilers, the Gross Seasonal Efficiency (GSV) has increased by 2% points in new buildings to 93% for single boilers with less than 2MW output and to 88% to those with more than 2MW

Lowering the temperature

One of the most fundamental changes under Approved Document L is a new maximum flow temperature of 55˚C for wet space heating systems: “all parts of the system, including pipework and emitters, should be sized to allow the space heating system to operate effectively and in a manner that meets the heating needs of the building, at a maximum flow

SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & PUBLIC BUILDINGS

pumps, work by using a refrigeration cycle to transfer heat from the air or ground outside a building to the inside, where it is used for heating and hot water

temperature of 55˚C or lower ” There are two very good reasons for this 55˚C figure

The first is that it will enable condensing boilers to operate at their most efficient Condensing boilers can recover heat via the flue and use it for pre-heating purposes They can only do this when the temperature of the water returning to the boiler is less than 54˚C; it’s even more efficient if the temperature is 45˚C Most boilers, however, are set up to output at 80˚C and return at 60˚C so, whilst the boiler works, it does not condense and that valuable extra heat is not recovered and reused

The second benefit of a reduced flow temperature is that it paves the way for heat pumps, which achieve maximum Coefficient of Performance (COP) at a flow temperature of 45°C Heat pumps, such as our Ecomod commercial monobloc air source heat

They use a relatively small amount of electricity to power the transfer of heat from the environment to the building, and as a result emit significantly less CO2 compared to traditional systems Since heat is transferred rather than generated, heat pumps can operate up to four times more efficiently than traditional methods, and have the potential to produce four units of heat for every one unit of electricity that they use

Ysgol Tir Morfa Community School in Rhyl, North Wales, is a great example of how heat pumps are being used to decrease carbon emissions Denbighshire County Council is aiming to become a carbon neutral council by 2030 and has been assessing its properties for opportunities to move away from fossil fuel based heating as a top priority Two Ideal Heating 32kW ECOMOD monobloc air source heat pumps have been installed along with solar PV at Ysgol Tir Morfa A 65-70% reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved by swapping

to heat pumps, compared to traditional gas boilers or direct electric appliances

Not every building will be able to accommodate this lower temperature and in these instances Part L does allow for the heating system to be designed to the lowest design temperature possible that will still meet the heating needs of the building

Thermal efficiency gains

Of course, in order for heating systems to operate at low temperatures whilst still delivering the warmth required, the building itself must be thermally efficient to retain the heat that is being generated

The Approved Document L uplift therefore has set new minimum efficiency standards for both new and replacement thermal elements, windows and doors

Delivering on the uplift and beyond

The heating sector is in a transitional state, as we move towards a decarbonised future The uplift to Approved Document L, Conservation of fuel and power, is the beginning of that transition, paving the way to net zero Just around the corner, in 2025, the Future Buildings Standard is set to come into effect

The aim of the Standard is to produce highly efficient non-domestic buildings, which use low carbon heat and have the best fabric standards possible The buildings should be zero carbon ready, with the ability to decarbonise over time alongside the national grid without any further energy efficiency retrofit work

Whilst we don’t have a crystal ball to see into the future, it is clear that it will be a future with low carbon heating and energy-efficient buildings, with the public sector very much leading the way

“Under the revised Approved Document L, a new building’s energy efficiency must be measured, using ‘Pr imar y energy ’ in combination with CO2 metr ics to assess compliance with Par t L.”

Two Ideal Heating 32kW ECOMOD monobloc air source heat pumps have been installed along with solar PV at Ysgol Tir Morfa Community School in Rhyl, North Wales

SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & PUBLIC BUILDINGS

S c h o o l m a y b e o u t f o r s u m m e r b u t m a i n t e n a n c e a n d re p a i r w o r k w i t h i n e d u c a t i o n e s t a b l i s h m e n t s i s o n g o i n g t h ro u g h o u t t h e y e a r. A n d y M a t t h e w s , H e a d o f S a l e s a t

H O P P E ( U K ) , d i s c u s s e s t h e s c a l e o f re p a i r a n d m a i n t e n a n c e w o r k s n e e d e d i n s c h o o l s a c ro s s t h e c o u n t r y a n d h o w t h e c o m p a n y ’s p ro d u c t s c a n h e l p .

At the end of 2022, the Government announced the fourth set of schools to receive funding for major rebuilding and refurbishment works as part of the ongoing School Rebuilding Programme

In order to qualify for funding, schools had to show they had at least 1,200 square metres of “ severe condition need” (defined as the modelled cost of the remedial work to repair or replace all defective elements in the school estate) to apply The Government has said it prioritised the applications with “structural or safety issues that mean a block is not fit for use or is likely to become unfit for use imminently because it poses a risk to users ” , followed by applications showing “ severe deterioration” in external walls, roofs, windows or doors

More than 1,100 schools applied for funding in 2022, and 239 were awarded grants in December 2022 This brings the total number of projects in the programme to 400, and with only 500 spaces up for grabs throughout the duration of the 10-year School Rebuilding Programme, it looks like many schools will miss out on this much-needed funding

The Condition of School Buildings Survey published in May 2021 identified that the total backlog for maintenance work in the school estate known as the ‘condition need’ is £11 4bn This has grown significantly since 2017 when the condition need was reported as £6 7bn

Within the 22,031 schools reviewed as part of the survey, assessors noted 374,782 occurrences of work needed to external walls, windows and doors, and 261,568 to internal walls and doors While these figures only offer a snapshot in time, it still provides a good indicator of the level of work needed to improve the conditions of schools across the UK

b u i l t s c h o o l s , H O P P E i s a g r e a t c h o i c e f o r s e v e r a l r e a s o n s

Nylon

Nylon is easy to clean and doesn’t discolour with the use of mild detergents or disinfectants A finish that has been tried and tested for more than 30 years, it is also suitable for sports facilities, changing rooms and showers because of its corrosion-resistant properties

The Nylon range is available in 10 colours and is ideal for creating a colour coding system that allows it to be used to identify areas in buildings for specific use or access There may be some settings where the use of subtle colours, which are less visually stimulating, can prevent confusion or distraction

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

E d u c a t i o n m a t t e r s

HOPPE’s Nylon door handle range

©Monkey Business/AdobeStock

In schools with special needs facilities, Nylon can be a good choice because of its tactile nature It offers anti-static properties and doesn’t feel cold to the touch It is important to consider the visual contrast and comply with the light reflectance value (LRV) in British Standard BS8493:2008 The range has been BSEN1906 performance tested and the Steel Cored version has also been included in BS EN1634 part 1 fire door testing

Coordinating Nylon accessories including signage, hooks, finger plates, back plates, pull handles, interior handles set on roses and escutcheons are also available, making it really easy for specifiers to order everything required for each door

Bathroom turns

Bathroom turns from ARRONE, a HOPPE brand, will help schools meet the latest Department for Education (Df E) requirements for school buildings The AR961 non-coin release bathroom turn range has been developed to provide a bathroom turn set that is in line with the latest generic design brief output specification

The Df E’s guidance covers the design and construction of school buildings, as well as outlining safety and security, operability, and maintenance requirements As part of its most recent updates, Df E added in the requirement for schools to use a bathroom lock “that can be locked from the inside by turn or lever and can be released from outside by a non-coin slot key” to improve safety and give increased privacy

The AR961 range is made up of a stainless steel disabled indicator and large turn on an 8mm rose A key to operate the release is available separately

Door closers

Door closers play an integral part in making sure doors open and close effectively In the event of a fire, a firmly closed fire door will help to slow the effects of flames and smoke

It’s essential that fire doors and the associated hardware, particularly the door closers, are kept in good working order Regular inspections play an important role in making sure wear and tear that may lead to defects are detected and repaired sooner rather than later The ARRONE AR8209 door closer features a slide arm channel which helps prevent deliberate damage from occurring Cam action and electromagnetic models are also available in the range

n More information on HOPPE’s door hardware solutions here www.rdr.link/lal007

The AR961 non-coin release bathroom turn range from HOPPE

The ARRONE AR8209 door closer

Turn up the heat on energy savings

Dominic Wish, HMX UK Technical Director, shares with LABM how a pioneering new approach to reducing energy use and carbon emissions is seeing the heating bills of eight schools in Essex drop by up to 47% and carbon emissions cut by around seven tonnes per year per site.

The Chelmsford Diocese schools are the first in the country to have Hydromx, a cutting-edge heat transfer fluid, installed in their central heating systems It utilises nano technology to speed up heat transfer from boilers into the radiator system, reducing the energy required for rooms to reach the required temperature and extending boiler lifespan due to decreased cycling

Its installation into one school has proved so successful that Headmaster Iain Gunn was astounded at how quickly the building heated up and it led to the management team requesting the retrofitting of thermostatic radiator valves to better control the heat and realise the energy, cost and carbon savings that are possible

“The very first day after installation everyone said how hot the school felt,” says Iain Gunn, Head of St Peter’s Church of England Primary School in South Weald, Essex “The radiators were hot rather than being luke warm and every classroom had windows open It really has made an incredible difference to our school ”

Hydromx was installed into St Peter’s during October half term last year

Installation involved draining/flushing the

heating system and re-filling with 50% water and 50% Hydromx Post-installation the concentration was measured with a refractometer to ensure the optimum mix had been achieved Energy and carbon savings are achieved from day one

Building challenges

Like many schools, St Peter’s presented the challenge of a building added to over many years, with some parts dating back to 1957 and others much more recent It has a diverse range of radiators and fittings and some TRVs in newer parts of the premises but not throughout Because the school is linear around 100m long its extremities had proved difficult to heat Hydromx solved this, as Iain explains: “My office never really got warm and was always on ‘five’ on the TRV Now I have it on one ”

With TRVs fitted throughout the building, staff now have complete control of comfort levels Boiler sequencing and timing has been adjusted to take into account the increased efficiency of the system

Energy savings

St Peter’s, which has a roll of 413 pupils, was one of five schools selected to participate in

the initial Hydromx pilot project due to its eco credentials it already has solar panels generating electricity

Of the five pilot project schools, three have so far reported their before and after energy usage statistics, revealing gas consumption savings of between 37 5% and 47% in November/December 2022 and January 2023 when compared to the previous year (with an HDD Heating Degree Day calculation applied) ROI ranges from 1 42 years to 2 18 years It should be noted that the schools have TRVs fitted to ensure optimum savings and, coupled with the Hydromx installation, there has been a significant focus on energy saving within each, leading to these outstanding results

For Iain Gunn the energy savings represent a significant boost to school coffers ( just a 30% saving represents his school’s entire book budget for one year), but that’s not the only benefit, as Iain explains: “The school is hotter, it’s the entire school It’s such a great product Everybody I have spoken to can’t quite believe how good it is ”

He’s now looking forward to bringing the school swimming pool online with

Hydromx: “It will make a huge difference,” Iain says. “We are hoping it will save us even more money.”

Due to the success of the pilot project the solution has been installed into three more schools and the diocese, working with supply partner HMX UK, is now rolling it out to its remaining 30 controlled schools. Peter Palmer, School Buildings and Organisation Officer for the Chelmsford Diocese, explains: “Specifying Hydromx into our school estate is a key component of the Diocese’s Net Zero objective. The pilot project has delivered

significant savings in energy consumption, cost and carbon emissions and we now intend to roll out Hydromx across the remainder of our voluntary aided schools, providing them with energy-efficient and highly effective heating systems which also deliver meaningful cost and carbon emission reductions.”

Efficient

Hydromx is suitable for any commercial or domestic closed loop hydronic HVAC system. It is a non-invasive, easy-to-install energy, and carbon saving solution, which works by improving heat transfer, making heat exchangers more efficient and requiring less energy input to do so. It provides complete system protection against corrosion, calcification and bacteria and includes anti-freeze. The solution is inert, recyclable and guaranteed for 20 years. Depending upon the application and system characteristics, it will normally deliver energy, carbon and cost savings of between 20-35%.

Installation

There are two key elements of installation — assessing the system volume and ensuring it is clean (which may mean flushing. This can also help ascertain volume if it’s unknown). The heating system needs to be in reasonable condition, ideally with no history of leaks.

Any remedial work required — including the fitting of TRVs — should be carried out prior to installation. Post installation the building will get significantly hotter more quickly and boiler sequencing/thermostats will need turning down significantly.

Suitability

The solution is suitable for most systems — including swimming pools — and buildings, for both heating and cooling. Savings vary by system characteristics, however with the school heating systems the older design boilers and large surface area of cast or pressed steel radiators made the savings achieved considerable.

Hydromx utilises nano technology to speed up heat transfer from boilers into the radiator system

Hydromx extends a boiler lifespan due to decreased cycling

“The pilot project has delivered significant savings in energy consumption, cost and carbon emissions and we now intend to roll out Hydromx across the remainder of our voluntary aided schools... ”

Expansion of award-winning valve range

T years ago Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems’ eleased the award-winning Pegler ProFlow 1600 Valve range, which utilises innovative technology to address whole project costs from specifying, installing, balancing and maintaining a HVAC system This technical knowhow has been utilised in the development of the company ’ s Pegler Valve range the Pegler ProFlow PICV 1500

The product provides a combined pressure dependent control valve with direct flow measuring in one body It operates independently of changes in system pressure and boasts an integrated in-line fixed orifice Venturi This allows direct verification of pre-setting and actual flow operation In addition, a new fast flush cap has been developed for simple valves/cartridge access and removal prior to flushing The product has a range flexibility of DN15 to DN50 and offers a PN25 pressure rating

n More information on the Pegler ProFlow 1500 PICV here www.rdr.link/lal009

CUPA slate used to maintain aesthetic at listed Welsh school

CuPA PIZARRAS’ CuPA H12 natural slate was recently specified for the refurbishment of a Grade II listed school building in Newport, South Wales Selected as a costeffective yet authentic alternative to traditional Welsh slate, the CuPA H12 helped the project team at Newport City Council and Newport Norse retain the original aesthetic of the St Woolos Primary School annexe building while creating a modern working space for the local community The installation was carried out with the high-quality H selection CuPA 12 slate in 60x30cm dimensions The ridge and hip tiles were also replaced with new red clay tiles to match those on the main school roof

n To find out more about CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPA 12 slate and the rest of the range visit www.rdr.link/lal010

Aircool range provides a breath of fresh air

Passivent’s comprehensive range of Aircool wall and window ventilators provide controlled air intake and extract in natural ventilation systems to create healthy internal environments Primarily suited for external installation, the Aircool is designed to work with all forms of wall construction, curtain walling and window profiles with the external weather louvre providing excellent weather protection and an insulated internal damper, which minimises heat loss

With its electrically-actuated low-voltage dampers, the range is virtually silent in operation It is particularly suitable for use as part of a night cooling strategy, where daytime heat build-up is dissipated from the structure via the Aircool during the night, producing lower internal air temperatures with a reduced need for daytime cooling or air conditioning As well as the standard option, Passivent also offers an Acoustic Aircool Ventilator, the Thermal Aircool Ventilator and the hybrid air-mixing variant Hybrid Plus2 Aircool

n To find out more about the Aircool range visit www.rdr.link/lal011

The School Premises Handbook

With the increasing focus on safe and compliant school buildings, Jo Marchant’s new book, The School Premises Handbook, published by John Catt Educational, could not come at a more opportune time

The handbook is the first comprehensive reference for all stakeholders concerned with the maintenance and upkeep of school premises in England, providing a complete guide to their legal responsibilities surrounding buildings compliance

Jo Marchant, a highly experienced head of estates, helps steer the reader through key legislation, further information sources, and the preparation of an action checklist The topics covered are not specific to schools alone but are written from the perspective of the school environment Jo covers all areas of estate management, from the working environment, compliance and planning for maintenance, to the impact of school buildings and grounds on student learning

Brick-on-soffit solution chosen for school IG Masonry Support was selected for the Headington School project in Oxford following its successful collaboration with Beard Construction on a previous building programme involving corbelled design window heads Initially, the architect had recommended precast concrete walls for The Hive’s corbelled effect windows However, due to the complex nature of the design, IG Masonry Support was brought on board to provide a more efficient and cost-effective system

Quick, easy to install and able to fulfil the architect’s aesthetic design, the company ’ s stainless steel prefabricated ‘B O S S’ units proved ideal for The Hive project A readymade solution for a wide range of complex brick detail applications, it’s estimated that specifying IG Masonry Support’s ‘B O S S’ units, rather than opting for a traditional bricklaying process, reduced installation time on The Hive programme by up to 90%

n More information on IG Masonry Support’s ‘B.O.S.S’ units here www.rdr.link/lal013

n For a copy of The School Premises Book click here www.rdr.link/lal012

Th e p r i c e o f p e r f o r m a n c e

The Par t L Building Regulations finally kicked in this June, and the message is loud-and-clear : building mater ials must now deliver sustainable outcomes Sonia Travis, a Commercial Sales Manager at NorDan UK, shares how an increasing focus on perfor mance and whole-life carbon is shaking up the window and doors’ mar ket, and how NorDan is leading from the front.

It i s n o t t h a t l o n g a g o t h a t w i n d o w s a n d d o o r s m a n u f a c t u r e r s r e s p o n d e d u l t i m a t e l y t o c o s t , a n d s o c i a l l a n d l o r d s a n d l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s b o u g h t m i l l i o n s o f l o w - c o s t P VC - U a n d a l u m i n i u m p r o d u c t s e v e r y y e a r ( I k n o w, I w a s s e l l i n g t h e m ) ! T h i s m a d e c o m m e r c i a l s e n s e a t t h e t i m e, a s s o c i a l d e v e l o p e r s s o u g h t t o d e l i v e r a s m a n y n e w a f f o r d a b l e h o m e s a s p o s s i b l e

This left little financial wriggle room for building material manufacturers, but in recent years this has started to change and the pace of change is noticeably accelerating For example, in 2021, Falkirk Council placed an order for NorDan’s high performance timber windows and doors across up to 5,500 homes the largest single order in the history of retrofitting homes in Scotland

Af t e r e x t e n s i v e m a r k e t c o n s u l t a t i o n a n d a c o m p e t i t i v e t e n d e r p r o c e s s , F a l k i r k e l e c t e d t o f i t N o r D a n ’ s To pTe c h r e v e r s i b l e w i n d o w s a n d b a l c o n y d o o r s b o t h a r e t e c h n i c a l p r o d u c t s e n g i n e e r e d f r o m s u s t a i n a b l y g r o w n t i m b e r a n d c l a d w i t h a n u l t r a - t h i n l a y e r o f a l u m i n u m T e n

y e a r s a g o , i t w o u l d h a v e b e e n h i g h l y u n l i k e l y t h a t a p r o d u c t o f t h i s q u a l i t y w o u l d h a v e f i t t e d i n t h e s e n u m b e r s S o , w h a t ’ s c h a n g e d ? W h y d o h i g h e rp e r f o r m i n g b u i l d i n g p r o d u c t s n o w c o n s t i t u t e v i a b l e v a l u e ?

In short, it’s a combination of three factors: changing building standards, an increasing focus on whole life carbon, and the lengthening of the time in which value is measured

Rising standards

Let’s start with the Part L regulations, a set of new building standards introduced in England in June 2022, but now fully enforced as of June 2023, following a 12month grace period

Part L is in fact an interim set of standards ahead of the implementation of the full Future Homes Standard in 2025 The new standards will reduce carbon emissions from new homes by 30%, and all other new buildings by 27% The long-term aim is to reduce total building carbon emissions by a minimum of 75% by 2030 to meet wider net zero climate change targets

NorDan has supplied its high performance timber windows and doors to Falkirk Council

NorDan has invested in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for most of its product range

The new regulations change the maximum allowable U-values on window and door specification, and the maximum allowable for a window has now been increased by 0 4 Watts-per- meter-square-kelvin (W/m2K), to 1 2W/m2K, and it is anticipated that this figure will drop to 0 8W/m2K in 2025

The impact of Part L has been noticeable and immediate

Many of NorDan’s local authority and housing association customers are already specifying to what they anticipate to be the 2025 standard, and recently, two of NorDan’s larger social housing customers have gone back to the drawing-board to re-specify two large affordable housing projects

I’ve also noticed that NorDan has started to win contracts based on the new competitive advantages afforded by Part L

As a rule, PVC-U, aluminium and composite window frames can only achieve a U-value of 1 2 when triple glazed, whereas the natural insulation qualities of wood mean it can match this performance with double-glazing and hit U-values as low as 0 74 when triple glazed

Price and carbon competitive

This has made timber window frames increasingly price competitive, but also carbon competitive, because the extra layer of glazing that non-timber window frames need to achieve the same U-values has an adverse impact on their embodied carbon Embodied carbon is the carbon footprint of a material and is increasingly recognised as making up a large percentage of the emissions from construction, and this is gaining more attention from industry and government

A l t h o u g h Pa r t L o n l y f o c u s e s o n o p e r a t i o n a l c a r b o n i n h o m e s , t h e

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

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

To assist them make informed carbonrelated decisions, NorDan has invested in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for most of our product range EPDs are independently verified carbon audits that provide a granular breakdown of all the embodied and operational carbon in a material or product

Dynamic EPDs

However, the data modelling that generates EPDs can always be improved to reflect the the nuances of customer decision making and combinations of materials used, so NorDan is the first windows and doors manufacturer to launch a more intelligent or Dynamic EPD

The Dynamic EPDs consider the size and configurations of three-dimensional products and designs, as opposed to two-dimensional product reference, so provide a more accurate calculation

Continuous investment in digitisation and digital modeling is important as it ensures EPDs deliver an increasingly accurate picture of the environmental impact and performance of

“T h e n ew r e g u l a t i o n s

c h a n g e t h e ma x i mu m

a l l owa b l e U - va l u e s o n

w i n d ow a n d d o o r

s p e c i fi c a t i o n … ”

materials and keeps pace with other aspects of MMC

Finally, I’d like to close with a recent quote from Ayo Allu, Director of Design, Technical & Innovation at Clarion Housing Group: “Material costs and the impact of embodied carbon calculations on business performance are increasingly driving the way Clarion Housing Group is constructing its buildings, as is our familiarity with the timber products on the market, and the vast increase in testing data compared to previous years

“Embodied carbon is already a development consideration within major cities, and the Greater London Authority now has an embodied carbon tool which has to be completed for each new development with other cities set to follow suit

“As a development business, we ’ re now benchmarking our embodied carbon for development and construction activities for the second year running, so we can set reduction targets for ourselves and our supply chain ”

This is crucial, and why the role of high quality and performance timber products is set to continue growing across the UK

n For more information on Dynamic EPDs visit www rdr link/lal014

Unlocking the power of software

Dave Carr, Managing Director of Propeller Powered, explains how advanced software is enabling housing providers to inspect fire doors quickly and effectively in line with new regulations

For the owners or managers of multi-occupied residential buildings over 11m, new regulations on fire door checks present a huge challenge Enforced in January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require the ‘responsible person ’ to conduct quarterly checks on communal doors that lead onto common areas like hallways, and annual inspections on flat entrance doors Evidence of the steps taken to comply with the regulations must also be recorded

For housing associations and local authorities, the rules present a steep path to compliance Ensuring fire doors are safe is critical, but with dozens of doors to check even in small housing blocks, the scale of the task can’t be underestimated Relying on manual processes such as spreadsheets and paper forms for inspections will present a huge administrative burden that swallows

significant time and resources while risking human error

In response, new technology has been fast tracked specifically for the social housing sector This cloud-based software

allows fire door maintenance and inspection programmes to be managed digitally Pilots have shown this process can help to conduct the checks up to six times faster than manual systems

Fire door inspection software

DOORS, WINDOWS & HARDWARE

Keeping it simple

Integrating new software may be perceived as a complex task but that’s not the case The first step is for a housing provider to identify, collate and register the appropriate door data This should be focused purely on what is needed to meet the new regulations and future maintenance and reporting processes

A software provider can help to advise on these data requirements for approval by a housing provider’s building safety specialist Often this data collection process is more straightforward than organisations realise as does not require the same administrative procedures as BM TRADA certifications for example

An auditable trail

Using an App, fire door inspections can be carried out quickly and effectively either by in-house teams or external contractors, with training supplied by the software provider Time stamped photographs can be recorded along with the door’s attributes such as type, material and fire rating Any defects can be instantly captured and the information logged on a central dashboard in real time

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

The same dashboard can be used for scheduling, allowing the frequency of inspections to be set and adjusted to comply with the regulations and meet an organisation’s own building safety criteria

At the heart of the software is QR code technology which gives every fire door a unique asset tag, further simplifying the inspection process Using a mobile device, each code can be scanned to

reveal the door’s location, condition and full maintenance history

The QR codes are also key to increasing building safety transparency and communication regarding fire doors Residents can use the codes to access vital safety information about a fire door and instantly raise any specific issues directly to the housing provider Photographs can be uploaded, triggering automated tasks that are flagged for action

LiveWest is one example of a housing association that has adopted software to proactively respond to the new regulations This has seen the organisation set up QR codes, update its system to record actions for doors and use a dashboard to assess which ones need to be upgraded or replaced to achieve compliance Its existing repairs system has set servicing schedules based on priorities identified via the software and plans have been put in place to inspect all 22,960 doors over the next two years These include communal and flat doors in buildings less than 11m high to go over and above the regulatory requirements

Seamless integration

New software for fire door inspection is usually provided by the vendor as true Software as a Service (SaaS) That means it does not require an internal IT team to implement nor does it have to integrate with existing IT systems

The latest software can be rolled out in as little as two weeks and requires minimal training, so there is no need to source technical experts or specialists to achieve compliance It can be tailored to an organisation’s specific policies, enabling it to be used by social landlords of any size or external contractors, including fire safety specialists and M&E contractors seeking to expand their services into fire door inspections

To prevent delays, housing providers are also advised to consider access as part of the digital inspection process as both sides of the door will need to be assessed This may require a system similar to gas safety checks, which involves appointment letters and notices to demonstrate how and when access has been attempted

Driving efficiency

The simplicity of new technology means a door can be asset tagged, scanned, inspected and registered within five minutes, saving significant time and labour costs Housing providers can generate further efficiencies by tailoring the software with additional functions For example, other areas of compliance including gas, electrical, and legionella can be incorporated into the same system bringing all key data into one place, eliminating the need for multiple systems

No access visits can also be recorded using the App, evidencing the number of attempts to survey a flat door for vital safety checks

Taking action

Although the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 have been in force for more than six months, there is still time for local authorities and housing associations to respond Adopting advanced software can provide a quick and effective solution which tackles the challenge head on Not only will the technology save housing providers’ significant time but provide a robust, auditable register and an enhanced service for residents

“The simplicity of new technology means a door can be asset tagged, scanned, inspected and registered within five minutes , saving significant time and la bour costs . ”

DOORS, WINDOWS & HARDWARE ROUND-UP

Fire safety measures to benefit over 250 residences in East Kilbride

T e n a n t s o f S o u t h L a n a r k s h i r e C o u n c i l i n E a s t K i l b r i d e a r e t o b e n e f i t f r o m n e w f i r e d o o r s a s p a r t o f a l a r g e - s c a l e , p l a n n e d m a i n t e n a n c e p r o g r a m m e b e i n g u n d e r t a k e n a c r o s s t h e t o w n

C C G ( S c o t l a n d ) h a s b e e n w o r k i n g w i t h C o u n c i l s i n c e a u t u m n - 2 0 2 2 a n d h a s s o f a r c o m p l e t e d t h e i n s t a l l a t i o n o f 8 3 5 e n h a n c e d d o o r s e t s , s u p p o r t i n g 3 3 9 r e s i d e n c e s , t o f o u r h i g h - r i s e b l o c k s i n C a m b u s l a n g a n d E a s t K i l b r i d e

The latest round of works at Drury’s Lane, Old Vic and Saddler’s Well in East Kilbride will see a further 258 residences benefit with new, flat entrance doors and replacement door sets to common areas and main entrances Using engineered timber, CCG design and manufacture the enhanced door sets from their bespoke premises in Cambuslang Fully rated and certified, the doors have a 60-minute performance rating which means, in the event of a fire; they will withstand its effects and prevent it from spreading into individual dwellings or throughout the building’s passageways for an hour’s duration

Timber acts as a natural fire break whilst intumescent seals that line the door frame are installed to prevent the passage of smoke and harmful gases Automatic closing mechanisms are also in place to ensure once the door is opened it always closes, which is another preventive measure should an emergency situation take place

n More information on CCG (Scotland) and its services here

www.rdr.link/lal016

Doors, WinDoWs & HarDWare rounD-up

Senior keeps sustainability in view with low carbon aluminium senior architectural systems, the uK’s largest privately owned systems house, can now offer specifiers a range of fenestration solutions that utilise Hydro low carbon recycled aluminium senior’s full range of products, including the company ’ s patented low u-value pure system, can now be extruded using Hydro low carbon recycled aluminium made from post-consumer scrap materials as this aluminium is predominantly produced in the uK, its lower carbon footprint made it the ideal choice for the company who also manufacturers its full suite of aluminium windows, doors, and curtain wall systems at its dedicated facilities in south Yorkshire as all of senior’s aluminium fenestration systems are fully recyclable, the use of post-consumer recycled aluminium at the extrusion stage provides a ‘cradle to cradle’ approach Drawing on over 30 years of technical expertise, senior has invested in its product range to offer a wide choice of thermally-efficient and part L complaint low u-value fenestration solutions The company has also made several improvements to its main uK manufacturing facility such as grey water recovery, the greater use of electric vehicles in its delivery fleet and the investment of an in-house state of art waste reducing powder coating facility senior is also fully accredited to Bre Global’s Bes 6001 standard

n More information on Hydro is available here www.rdr.link/lal017

n For more information on Senior Architectural Systems products visit www.rdr.link/lal018

Abloy UK launches new RIBA-approved CPD course

The new RIBA-approved CPD course explains the requirements of EN 13637:2015 for electrically controlled exit systems for use on escape doors and how to achieve safe electrically controlled escape doors The course, delivered by accredited Abloy experts, explores EN 13637, which was adopted by BSI in August 2015 The standard covers the application of electrical controls to manage the unauthorised use of escape doors, whether as part of an access control system or just to achieve exit management in situations such as hospitals and schools and commercial premises

As part of the course, attendees will learn that an exit system comprises of three elements, tested as a complete escape solution The first is an electric controlling device, an initiating element (a resettable illuminated switch), and an electric locking device to secure the door The electric locking device will be a fail un-locked device specifically designed to work under a side load to ensure escape, with the durability of the ability to release proven

A s w e l l a s i t s c o m m i t m e n t t o e d u c a t i n g t h e i n d u s t r y a b o u t c o m p l i a n t - l o c k i n g s y s t e m s , A b l o y U K o f f e r s a r a n g e o f e l e c t r i c l o c k i n g a n d a c c e s s c o n t r o l s o l u t i o n s t o h e l p m e e t t h e r e q u i r e d s t a n d a r d s T h e s e i n c l u d e t h e e P E D E s c a p e D o o r S y s t e m ( E D S ) t h a t o f f e r s e a s y a c c e s s a n d e g r e s s w h i l e e n s u r i n g c o m p l i a n c e , s a f e t y a n d s e c u r i t y T h e e P E D e x i t s y s t e m s p r o v i d e a c o m p l i a n t s o l u t i o n f o r a n e s c a p e d o o r w h e n r e a d - i n / r e a d - o u t a c c e s s c o n t r o l i s s p e c i f i e d , c o m b i n i n g t h e t h r e e c o m p o n e n t s r e q u i r e d f o r E N 1 3 6 3 7

n To register for the CPD, go to www.rdr.link/lal019

Peter McAteer, CEO of Sysmax, the compliance, r isk and competency software platfor m now deploying across housing providers and contractors, discusses scalable solutions to solve the Golden Thread and Building Safety Act compliance and competency management conundr um, which the sector is currently wrestling with.

T h e B u i l d i n g S a f e t y A c t c l o c k i s t i c k i n g

Born of involvement in some of the biggest industrial disasters in history, including Piper Alpha and Deep-Water Horizon, I established Sysmax driven by a passion for, in its simplest terms, ensuring people with the right skills are in right place, doing things properly

After many years of investing to get Sysmax recognised as ‘the competency and compliance platform against which all others are judged’ in the oil and gas industry, we decided to share our software’s unparalleled benefits across other sectors After all, whether in energy, manufacturing, farming, utilities, tourism and even on Hollywood movie sets, we need competency and compliance to keep things safe and efficient

The Grenfell tragedy resonated deeply with me due to personal loss and threat to my own and my family’s lives I offered to be an expert witness based on two

highly explosive properties I had experienced

Having recognised Sysmax software’s universal benefits to improve performance, reduce costs and optimise value regardless of the sector we are now bringing the powerful, time proven benefits of our digital compliance and competency software platform to the social housing sector and are the recognised platform of choice for Direct Works

The timing could not be better in a landscape that recognises that while progress has been made, we still have a long way to go five years on from the Hackitt Report It’s time for the talk to stop, and action to start

A sector under scrutiny

Now more than ever, the social housing sector is under scrutiny when it comes to compliance and competency The Building Safety Act (BSA), which came into effect on the 1st April 2023, will have full implementation by October 2023 The BSA enforces a statutory requirement to produce and maintain a Building Safety

“

we a r

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n

case and report, and to instigate and maintain The Golden Thread, which requires proof of competency and compliance of personnel and products, in order to keep both buildings and people safe now and in the future

The days of unread manuals on office shelves, multiple versions of EHS spreadsheets, intermittent supplier quality checks, simple or outdated skill matrices, are gone We’re entering an era of true accountability, where real cases of corporate manslaughter, fines, reputation ruin and shareholder ruin for those who fail to comply or underestimate its severity

To know how well your organisation is performing, you can ask yourself this one simple question: How do you know right now that you have the right people doing things right? If the answer is you can’t be 100% certain that you and your organisation are protected or you ’ re wrestling with scalable solutions to meet the Building Safety Act compliance and competency requirements, you are not alone

Managing compliance and competency at scale

This may all sound great in principle But how do you start? If you set your competency KPIs too low, they’re not effective; but too high and they demoralise the organisation

You may start off well in your competency and compliance journey, but how do know where and when standards fall short? How do you provide validation at each step, so problems don’t reveal themselves at the point of delivery, or when it’s too late? It’s often easy to manage by department or on a small scale but becomes complex when rolling it our across an entire organisation How do you evidence, consistently, how you are compliant? By breaking compliance down into a series of steps, Sysmax ensures that everyone can be on the same page when it comes to compliance and competency This includes:

l Demonstrable progress in compliance with the Building Safety Act

l Demonstrable proof of compliance with the Golden Thread with key suppliers

l Enables upskilling and multi-skilling with always on training and competency standards in the hands of the workforce

l The core roles in social housing covered for competency compliance with common, shared metrics, across the sector

l The core technical challenges for compliance covered and shared across the sector (asbestos, sharps, working at heights etc)

l A new and far more dynamic approach to the management of risk placed in the

hands of your workforce and suppliers

l Predicting where your next incident is likely to occur using our ground-breaking AI Risk Management technology

l Automatically schedules regular inspections and audits in the workplace, by your own workforce, to ensure your employees are following your business processes consistently

l Driving efficiency through ensuring the best practice you ’ ve invested in for many years is used, constantly, across the enterprise and you can both see and prove that it is

If organisations do what they are supposed to do and do it well, and this is cascaded throughout the supply chain, the improvement in efficiencies, safety and economics is staggering After all, the flip side of risk is opportunity Compliance and competency, embedding The Golden Thread are themes that Sysmax is passionate about and we want to help the social housing supply chain, from RSHs, DLOs to contractors and other service providers, not only comply with the BSA, but do things right first time, every time

n To find out more about the work Sysmax is carrying out to help social housing providers visit www rdr link/lal020

An example of evidence capture

An example of a compliance report user profile

L A B M ’s w e b s i t e o f f e r s a n e s s e n t i a l i n f o r m a t i o n r e s o u r c e f o r l o c a l a u t h o r i t y a n d h o u s i n g a s s o c i a t i o n s p e c i f i e r s , a n d a n y o n e i n v o l v e d i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n , r e f u r b i s h m e n t a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f s o c i a l a n d a f f o r d a b l e h o u s i n g , s c h o o l s , h e a l t h c a r e f a c i l i t i e s a n d p u b l i c s e c t o r b u i l d i n g s

O n t h e w e b s i t e y o u ’ l l f i n d d e t a i l s o n a l l t h e l a t e s t f u n d i n g a n d r e g u l a t o r y u p d a t e s , s e c t o r a n n o u n c e m e n t s , c o n t r a c t a w a r d s a n d i n d u s t r y e v e n t s We s h a r e i n s i g h t a n d o p i n i o n f r o m c o m m e n t a t o r s a c r o s s t h e s u p p l y c h a i n , f e a t u r e i n - d e p t h p r o j e c t c a s e s t u d i e s a n d i n o u r P r o d u c t s s e c t i o n , s h o w c a s e n e w p r o d u c t i n n o v a t i o n s , t e c h n o l o g i e s a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n s o l u t i o n s

D o n ’ t f o r g e t t o f o l l o w u s o n Tw i t t e r @ la b mm a g a n d o n L i n k e d I n a t w w w. li nke d in. c o m/ c o mp a ny / lo c al -a u t ho r it y -b u il di ng - m ai nt e na nce f o r a l l t h e l a t e s t s t o r i e s

F o r a l l t h e l a t e s t n e w s a n d v i e w s c h e c k o u t

l a b m o n l i n e . c o . u k

L O C A L A U T H O R I T Y B U I L D I N G& M A I N T E N A N C E

With schools and other local authority buildings navigating

Na v i g a t ing the digital t r a n s f o r m a t i on

From AV design and integration to on-going AV asset management, we have been working with education providers and local authorities for 20-plus years As integrators, we ’ re often the crucial link between these providers and technology manufacturers, putting us in a prime position to understand both the changing requirements of facilities and the new technologies developed to meet these demands

As the use of technology increased rapidly during the pandemic, its capabilities to meet other challenges were able to be explored, for example the engaging and productive benefits it brings to the classroom We are now schooling a generation of ‘digital natives’; children and young adults who have been surrounded with interactive and immersive technologies since birth The squeaky old whiteboard is a nostalgic memory now, as interactive engaging displays and collaboration tools take centre stage

Whilst technology has become a key component of every classroom and daily life, facilities managers are seeing funding and budgets being squeezed to

the max Therefore, it is key that decision-makers are equipped with the right knowledge and guidance to make the most of funding

The aim of interactive displays is to encourage engagement and active learning, making them a great choice for the classroom

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

“A s we m ove i n t o a n ew e ra o f l e a r n i n g , we ’ l l a l s o s e e n ew r e a l i t i e s a u g m e n t e d ( A R ) , m i x e d ( M R ) , e x t e n d e d ( X R ) p l a y i n g a ro l e i n t h e t ra n s fo r ma t i o n o f t h e c l a s s ro o m , c r e a t i n g a d i g i t a l c a nva s fo r v i v i d , m o r e a u t h e n t i c l e a r n i n g e x p e r i e n c e s .

Smarter way of working

At Strive AV, we ’ ve seen a huge uplift in the deployment of interactive displays in recent years, a piece of hardware that is now a key component for the education environment The aim of interactive displays is to encourage engagement and active learning, making them a great choice for the classroom In primary schools for example, interactive displays might be used for digital whiteboarding, presenting and connectivity for third party devices The touch screen UI is ideal for little fingers to get involved in collaborative mark-making and selecting from the menu of applications

For facilities and office management, interactive displays offer a wealth of additional benefits We work with 4k interactive displays including SMART and Promethean, that include a built-in switcher/scaler, on-board high spec PC with the latest processor and a remote management platform The remote management allows a helpdesk agent or field technician to broker a virtual session with the display from anywhere in the world, install software and apply policy to one or all screens The displays update their firmware over the cloud and come out of the box with very good system security, as well as ‘airgap ’ network connections to prevent unauthorised access to the network Interactive display technology has also taken AV signal transmission into the realm of the IT network Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE) is the practice of treating an education campus as a matrix of sources and destinations, where any classroom can instantly send or receive

uncompressed content from another classroom The video is transmitted over the production LAN along with other traffic true AV over IP

In this way, any number of repeater screens can transmit or receive from any other, allowing students to quickly showcase a presentation and then switch back to the host display, for example

Outside of the classroom, AV over IP can facilitate distance learning or working, lecture and meeting capture, create breakout spaces, live stream events and allows the helpdesk a live view of what is on-screen during a meeting, facilitating support

Adoption and training

Pre-pandemic there was reluctance from educators and other professionals to be mic’d-up and on camera, but this changed dramatically as technology became the facilitator during lockdowns For campuses that had already implemented digital transformation strategies, they could pretty much switch on remote learning overnight

As the roll-out of hybrid learning policies and digital transformation strategies continues, educators are using technology to their advantage and enjoying a multi-faceted and flexible approach to teaching This is similarly emulated in models of hybrid working which has been rapidly taken up by local authorities As this new way of working has been welcomed in both schools and workspaces technology must support the seamless movement between remote and in-person teaching, and investing in the right technologies is paramount for this fluidity

Technology of the future

Looking to the future, campus-led education is becoming accessible to

every student, wherever they are located From providing support for students with impairments to integrating remote students, AV technology will play a key role in ensuring every student receives the same experience, be it the visual quality of content or level of interactivity

As we move into a new era of learning, we’ll also see new realities augmented (AR), mixed (MR), extended (XR) playing a role in the transformation of the classroom, creating a digital canvas for vivid, more authentic learning experiences

For local authorities, the future of technology will present new opportunities to have more solutions to access, store, and share data These potentially sensitive tasks can be done with greater peace of mind as remote monitoring software become more sophisticated, meaning easy access to monitoring the systems Risks can be more effectively mitigated and potential faults spotted and resolved from anywhere in the world

If you’d like to find out more about how we can support your digital transformation whether you ’ re looking to upgrade your existing AV infrastructure or build a completely new one get in touch for a free consultation With decades of experience in providing AV solutions for a wide range of environments, the team at Strive AV can advise on the latest and most effective tools that will truly impact outcomes

The touch screen UI is ideal for little fingers to get involved in collaborative mark-making and selecting from the menu of applications

S t r e a m l i n i n g o p e r a t i o n s a n d b o o s t i n g e f f i c i e n c y

Managing Director of Okappy, Richard Harris, explains how cutting-edge field service management software can streamline operations, improve collaboration, and drive positive outcomes for housing associations, their sub-contractors and ultimately the tenants.

In today's fast-paced digital world, embracing technology to enhance operational efficiency is something every organisation is striving for and housing associations and their sub-contractors are no different Traditional processes riddled with paperwork, out-dated spreadsheets, and communication gaps hinder productivity and increase costs

Modernising operations: a comprehensive solution

The benefits for housing associations and sub-contractors to embrace this digital

transformation are huge Okappy empowers its users to manage their jobs seamlessly in one centralised digital platform by eliminating the need for manual paperwork and archaic digital practices

When information pertinent to managing tasks is scattered across emails, text messages, spreadsheets and paperwork, it becomes highly likely there will be costly mistakes or delays By leveraging the Okappy platform, housing associations and sub-contractors can experience significant timesavings, with up to four hours per employee per week

being reclaimed for more critical tasks

The platform's user-friendly interface makes it easy for organisation to adopt the new platform into their operational practices and so it facilitates a smooth transition from outdated methods to a streamlined digital ecosystem

Overcoming siloed systems: enhanced connectivity

The platform connects all stakeholders involved in a project in one central location This functionality helps to promote a seamless flow of information

“O n e o f t h e m o s t

s i g n i fi c a n t a d va n t a g e s i s

t h e a u t o ma t i o n o f r e p o r t i n g

p ro c e d u r e s t h a t a l l ev i a t e s

t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i ve b u r d e n

o n s u b - c o n t ra c t o r s . I n s t e a d

o f h a v i n g t o ma n u a l l y

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

O k a p py a u t o ma t e s t h i s

e n t i r e p ro c e s s . ”

amongst everyone involved in completing a task This eliminates errors caused by

breakdowns in communication

The ease of interconnected collaboration that it provides means that project managers can easily assign tasks to their array of sub-contractors and all information relating to that task is stored in one location It means that sub-contractors can arrive on site prepared with what they need to get the job done so no time is wasted with unnecessary returning visits

Relieving administrative burdens: automated efficiency

One of the most significant advantages is the automation of reporting procedures that alleviates the administrative burden on subcontractors Instead of having to manually create and submit reports, Okappy automates this entire process Managers

can access reports at a click of a button rather than having to chase contractors

These administrative burdens can lead to a high level of churn amongst sub-contractors, which can result in below-par work

By reducing administrative demands, the platform empowers sub-contractors to focus on their core competencies, resulting in improved productivity and helping to foster stronger relationships with the housing association Information and reports are readily accessible, so housing associations can streamline operations by minimising delays associated with manual processes and can benefit from accurate and up-to-date reporting

Maximising productivity and reducing costs

The entire supply chain can reap the rewards of increased productivity and reduced costs by harnessing the platform's comprehensive field service management capabilities The platform eliminates duplication and unnecessary administrative tasks, so this optimisation leads to streamlined operations, reduced expenses, and improved service quality

Housing associations can allocate resources and manage their network of sub-contractors more effectively, which results in minimising wastage and maximising productivity

Sub-contractors experience fewer administrative burdens so they’re able to complete more jobs with less demands on their time This invariably leads to better

quality of service and minimises the need to return to fix mistakes or replace additional faulty installations This equated to further reductions in costs for housing associations

Delivering a positive tenant experience

Okappy's impact extends to the tenant experience, minimising inefficiencies and preventing disruptions By accurately conveying job details to sub-contractors, including specific requirements and necessary tools, housing associations ensure there are minimal inconveniences to tenants This focus on efficiency enhances tenant satisfaction, builds stronger relationships, and bolsters the reputation of housing associations as reliable and efficient providers of housing solutions

The need for a digital transformation

In an era where efficiency and digitalisation are paramount, Okappy offers a transformative solution for housing associations and sub-contractors Streamlining operations, improving collaboration, and reducing administrative burdens, empowers organisations to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape The platform's all-in-one capabilities, enhanced connectivity, and automation of reporting processes pave the way for increased productivity, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction

As housing associations embrace digital transformation and leverage the power of platforms like Okappy, they can leave behind archaic practices and unlock the full potential of streamlined communication and efficient workflows Working with a trusted partner, housing associations and sub-contractors can navigate the complexities of the industry with ease, delivering exceptional experiences to tenants and achieving long-term success

Though the use of platforms like Okappy, the future of field service management is bright a future where housing associations and sub-contractors can operate seamlessly, collaborate effectively, and exceed the expectations of their tenants

By accurately conveying job details to sub-contractors, housing associations ensure there are minimal inconveniences to tenants

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ROUND-UP

Gateway 3 Solution for digital handover and contractor compliance

Createmaster, a leading digital handover and building manual solutions provider, has introduced it’s ‘Golden Thread: Gateway 3 solution’ Underpinned by the Zutec platform, the solution combines the Createmaster fully managed digital handover service with a dashboard that enables contractors and developers to understand the information required to fulfil obligations set out by the Building Safety Act at the handover stage of an asset Gateway 3 refers to the completion or final certificate stage, when a building safety case is submitted for review and approval As a stop/go point in the handover process, building control approval must be obtained from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before registering and commencing occupation of a higher-risk residential building

(HRRB) This means getting building safety case approval from the BSR before project completion and handover to an asset owner The dedicated Gateway 3 dashboard gives contractors and developers real-time visibility to manage their building information deliverables in one place Users can quickly see what information and documents they have, what is expected, what is in progress and what has been validated for compliancy with agreed information requirements, before handing over to a client

James Cannon, Commercial Director at Createmaster, says: “As a single source of truth for digital building information, the solution provides a clear and defined mechanism for collating the evidence required to support a building safety case, and helps our contractors ensure compliant building information and manuals are handed over to a client This takes the pain out of the handover process and information digitisation on the path to golden thread conformance ”

n For support with Gateway 3 compliance, contact Createmaster to book a demo www.rdr.link/lal024

A Proctor Group ....................(page 2/IFC)

www rdr link/LAL100

A Proctor Group (page 7)

www rdr link/LAL101

Aalberts Int Piping Sys (page 27)

www rdr link/LAL102

Aico Ltd ..........................................(page 4)

www rdr link/LAL103

Andreas Stihl Ltd ........................(page 32)

www rdr link/LAL104

Autopa Ltd (page 19)

www rdr link/LAL105

BPD ..................................................(page 9)

www rdr link/LAL106

DoorCo (page 40)

www rdr link/LAL107

Dulux Trade (page 15)

www rdr link/LAL108

Geberit Ltd ....................................(page 19)

www rdr link/LAL109

Horne Engineering Co Ltd ........(page 29)

www rdr link/LAL110

Liniar Ltd (page 24)

www rdr link/LAL111

Liniar Ltd ......................................(page 39)

www rdr link/LAL112

Liniar Ltd (page 41)

www rdr link/LAL113

Marley Ltd (page 47)

www rdr link/LAL114

ProBuilder Live ....................(page 51/IBC)

www rdr link/LAL115

Rockwool UK Ltd ..............(page 52/OBC)

www rdr link/LAL116

Samuel Heath & Sons (page 36)

www rdr link/LAL117