Insulate Magazine December 2017 by Insulate Magazine

The only independent insulation industry trade magazine

Q-Bot Insulation Evolution

Issue 13 | December 2017 Getting the Message Across Question of Energy Performance Fire Safety Now is the Time Public Safety First and Foremost

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Contents Published on a monthly basis by Versanta ltd Corser House, 17 Geen End, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 1AD Call 01948 759 351 Outside of the UK +44 1948 759351 Monday - Friday 9am - 5.30pm Website: www.insulatenetwork.com Email: sales@insulatenetwork.com SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Anyone can subscribe for free online at https://insulatenetwork. com/insulate-magazine-free-subscription Subscriptions are available around the world free in digital format. Print subscriptions are available around the world, please call us for a quote or email us on sales@insulatenetwork.com Our subscriber list is occasionally made available to very carefully selected companies whose products or services may be of interest to you. Your privacy is of paramount importance to us and should you prefer not to be part of these lists then please email your details and a short message to sales@insulatenetwork.com CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Rate: No photo classified £25 for 20 words, each additional word costs £1. All classified advertising must be paid in advance. We must receive your classified advert at least two weeks prior to the publication date.

Q-Bot Insulation Evolution

6-9

Getting the Message Across

10-13

Ensuring Insulation Fits

14-16

New Acoustic Stud System

The Effects of Hand Arm Vibration

20-22

Public Safety First and Foremost

23-25

WE DO NOT ACCEPT PHONE IN CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING In the first instance, email your advert to sales@insulatenetwork. com and await your invoice, once payment is received our design team will clarify the advert insertion with you directly. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING APPEARS IN PRINT AND ONLINE. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS AFTER PROOFING AND INSERTION. DISPLAY ADVERTISING. Contact one of our sales staff to discuss your requirements on 01948 759 351. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising that in its opinion is misleading, unfair or incompatible with the character of the magazine. We adhere to the IPSO code of practice for editors. Further information can be found at www.ipso.org.uk BACK ISSUES OR REPRINTS Digital back issues can be foud online at www.insulatenetworkazine.com For printed editions please email contact@insulatenetwork.com , there will be a postage charge and handling fee of £5+VAT for each copy requested. CIRCULATION The magazine is sent to 17,000 digitial subscribers per month

28-31

A Question of Energy Performance Fire Protection Specialists

Broken Housing Market Been Fixed?

Fire Safety Now is the Time

36-37

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The Vase Enters Final Phase

39-40

Ecobuild 2018 Preview

42-43

The UK's only dedicated trade journal for the insulation industry

t has been a turbulent month for us here at Insulate Magazine. Despite exhausting every opportunity and resource to deliver the Insulation Awards in year one, our plans were thwarted. We apologise to all for the inconvenience caused. It was the hardest decision for us to make, given the relentless preparations and the support from the industry.

Colin Heath Managing Editor colin@insulatenetwork.com @colinversanta

We will deal with all of the outstanding issues regarding the awards, learn from the experience and continue to provide the platform to promote the Insulation Industry On a positive note, we are proud to bring you another edition of Insulate Magazine. Including a great feature on Q-Bot with the BBA, Two articles written by our new Technical Editor, Paul Forrester and excellent contributions from our regular insulate columnists. With continued industry support we are looking forward to taking the publication from strength to strength in 2018. We wish you and your families a pleasant and rewarding festive period, and look forward to you joining us in the New Year. Enjoy

Jamie Street Creative Director jamie@insulatenetwork.com @jamieversanta

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Providing impartial product advice The SIG360 Technical Centre is a service offering from SIG, that focuses on helping customers deliver energy efficient buildings. Through an intimate knowledge of building regulations and product performance, brought about through more than 50 years specialising in the energy efficiency of the fabric of a building, the SIG360 Technical Centre is able to make cost effective and impartial product selection to ensure the best energy performance can be achieved. The service provided includes energy statements, U value calculations , condensation risk analysis, thermal modelling and SAP assessments leading to EPC certification. If you are seeking impartial advice on the fabric energy efficiency of your building contact SIG360 Technical Centre.

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Cover Story Exclusive

Q-bot insulation evolution Mathew Holloway from innovators Q-Bot talks about their robot for insulating under floors - and how BBA Certification will help them gain prominence in the market place.

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Q-Bot Insulation Evolution Mathew Holloway from innovators Q-Bot talks about their robot for insulating under floors - and how BBA Certification will help them gain prominence in the market place.

ntroducing an impressive new product that considerably reduces the cost outlay when people are considering underfloor insulation. Such an operation traditionally necessitates the complete removal of the flooring so that insulation materials can be installed and then the floor re- laid afterwards. This can be a nightmare for Housing Associations commissioning this kind of work as residents often need to be temporarily rehoused, which amounts to another not inconsiderable cost implication.

Q-Bot Chief Executive Mathew Holloway explains: “To insulate underfloor space in the UK you need to remove all carpets and flooring to access the void, then cut insulation panels by hand between the joists and roll mats of insulation in between, working to a degree of accuracy of 1mm, which is really quite difficult. If there are any gaps left between the insulation and the joists the insulation is not effective. “The method is very disruptive and difficult to do well. And of course, once it’s done you have to put your home back together and redecorate. It’s usually enough of a barrier to stop anyone wanting to do it.”

The new procedure takes one or two days at a fraction of the cost and performs just as well as traditional methods. This is a particularly welcome innovation for Housing Associations as it minimises disruption to residents who also benefit from lower heating bills. “Specifically, costs are typically half the alternatives and £150 per year is saved on heating bills. It also reduces the temperature stratification – the difference from your feet to your head, creating warm feet, which is a significant factor in keeping warm. “An independent case study with the Leeds Beckett University showed that the heat loss in the building was reduced by 25% - that’s a huge amount – meaning more than a quarter of heat loss was from the floor.” Another feature of the robot is that it records the whole process and provides real time feedback of the thickness of the insulation, so that the operator can make sure the job is completed correctly and the required depth of insulation is applied. The fact that the process can be monitored and recorded also incentivises installers to take pride in their work and removes the temptation to cut corners. “Generally, the built environment has got a problem with accountability and quality control. The BBA is trying to address this, and Q-Bot is bringing smarter tools that

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have quality control built in. Our robot records what happens using cameras and sensors to build a 3D map of the void before and after the install. We monitor the area and depth of insulation, take measurements during the process, and the installers know that what they do is being monitored and recorded. That gives them the motivation to do a better job. “People can be very negative when it comes to new technology at first, but eventually they see that this means they can take pride when working in the built environment. It allows installers to differentiate themselves from others and demonstrate they can do a good job. That philosophy also helped assure the BBA that we were minimising risk.” The BBA’s specific focus was to test the polyurethane foam insulation materials and the spraying process for efficiency and safety. “We set up an area in BBA Test Services at Watford to demonstrate the application process. This was watched and monitored, with readings taken to see how deep the insulation was. “Then the BBA came and visited us to check what happened onsite. They also came to see our training and even went and talked to our customers. We went through a really stringent set of tests.” BBA Certification is well-known for sealing a new product’s reputation in the market place, leveraging brands and providing specifier and consumer confidence. Mathew explained why the UK’s leading construction

certification body was so important for Q-Bot. “When you’re a small organisation but one that is rapidly growing with the potential to change the world and have a really big impact, you have to make sure you do everything properly in order to be taken seriously. You need to punch above your weight. The BBA is a very well-respected mark and organisation. Audits improve your control system which gives you a lot of credibility and helps show customers that there are processes in place that ensure the quality and scalability of the service. “Because this is a relatively new product and solution, we were unsure as to whether the BBA would even consider approving something like this as it’s simply not been done like this before. We are obviously very pleased that the BBA took it seriously. “It’s a great relief to finally get our certificate because it shows the outside world that what we’ve been saying is true. An independent party is happy to say yes, this is a process that has quality control built in.” Q-Bot has been busy all over the south coast, from Hastings all the way up to the north of Scotland, through England, Wales and Scotland. Trials have also been done overseas, in the US and France. With the blessing of the British Board of Agrément, this smart little newcomer to the insulation industry looks set to make its mark in the built environment, throughout the UK and beyond.

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Exclusive Insulate Column

Getting the Message Across I

n construction marketing, and the marketing of insulation in particular, there’s a popular type of phrase used in trade press and journal articles. It’s often worded, “ever-increasing building regulations”, or a close variant on it. But is it the right message to keep shouting? By Paul Forrester.

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Exclusive Insulate Column

Getting the Message Across It’s easy to understand the appeal: the wording highlights the importance of insulation and encourages the reader to accept manufacturers as the authority on the subject. There’s an imperative: the reader isn’t as up to date as they should be, so they should consult the authors to find out which products can help their current projects comply. Looking to the Future All of which is fine … except that things are fairly static from a building regulations point of view. In England and Wales, for example, the U-value targets for extensions and alterations to existing buildings have been the same for SEVEN years. Revised standards for compliance in new-builds were introduced in 2013 and 2014 respectively, but were still based on a system in place since 2006. The biggest change - the introduction of a fabric energy efficiency standard (FEES) in England - only brought the country into line with the sort of lower fabric backstops that had been a hallmark of the Scottish Technical Handbooks for years. Updated standards will be introduced across the UK eventually, but there’s no definitive timetable for revision - and no reason to make people worry they’re in danger of not keeping up with something that isn’t here yet. Known Unknowns Articles published in the last few editions of Insulate have shown customers already see insulation manufacturers as the authority. The issue lies in people knowing they need advice, and understanding the right time to call on the available expertise. From personal experience in the last few months, a couple of examples: - A property developer wanted to know how best to position insulation in a flat roof extension, and was surprised to discover his proposed specification was inadequate “Oh, is it 0.18 for a roof now?”

- A conversation with a college brickwork lecturer yielded its own surprises. He thought the U-value currently required in walls was 0.35 W/m2K, which is the figure given in Approved Document L 2002. Fortunately, it was possible to advise on a better flat roof specification - but how many other developments are under-insulated despite the static thermal targets for existing buildings? And what understanding of insulation are brickwork students gaining if they’re not familiar with the solutions they should see on site? The here and now It’s not preparing for the future that’s the problem, then, but getting everybody up to speed on the present! Communicating via traditional construction media will always have its place but, arguably, its readers generally know what they need to do to make a project succeed. On big contracts, workflows are in place to maximise efficiency and help things flow as smoothly as possible on the way to completion. A roofing contractor, for example, knows the specification and asks their preferred supplier for a price on insulation to achieve the required U-value. The distributor prepares a quote and contacts the manufacturer for a calculation to back it up. Straightforward, job done, several thousand square metres of roof ready to go. Of course, the relative simplicity of larger projects pays for the advice offered to smaller projects. When a client or builder needs guiding step-by-step, insulation manufacturers are almost the front line of defence, identifying issues in design, specification or installation and steering them in the right direction. Another example... If a chain of correspondence between a housing developer and an Approved Inspector includes a comment from the latter - “Not much of a link between wall and floor insulation, so whoever provides the Energy Performance.

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So how much should manufacturers police the projects that cross the desks of their technical teams? Acknowledgement of the issue was a start, but the words implied no intent to do anything other than have an Energy Assessor address it via paperwork. There was no suggestion of attempting to educate the contractor or have the work rectified, or of helping the developer understand why the new properties would benefit from greater attention to detail. It’s possible the as-built energy performance calculations showed a detriment to the predicted performance but, ultimately, the work was likely signed off and the properties sold, leaving the buyers to suffer cold draughts and excessive heat loss - something that was almost certainly not acknowledged during the purchase.

Fighting the Good Fight... Reading this, there’s a good chance you have examples of occasions where you’ve witnessed sub-optimal building work being the rule rather than the exception. Skills and training in the construction industry are not up to scratch, but the magic bullet remains elusive. The Passivhaus Trust recently released a ‘Good Practice Guide to Insulation’, and the ‘Builder’s Book’ remains available on the Zero Carbon Hub website, but these are relatively niche outlets for information, that most people won’t easily stumble upon. Insulation manufacturers and their trade associations do genuinely good work lobbying government and campaigning for better standards in the built environment. It’s a long term project though, and people need advice and guidance now.

Start the Debate If a chain of correspondence between a housing developer and an Approved Inspector includes a comment from the latter - “Not much of a link between wall and floor insulation, so whoever provides the Energy Performance Certificate needs to be aware” - is there anything the manufacturer reading it can do? 1

If traditional media isn’t doing the job, does the answer lie in finding ways to better use social media to reach people?

Perhaps photographic records of projects, even the smallest extension, need to become part of the evidence base for compliance so there’s no hiding bad workmanship.

Indeed, more examples of both good and bad work should be put in the public domain as a source of reference.

Rather than rolling out smart meters, maybe energy companies should be obliged to undertake thermographic surveys so homeowners can see for themselves where their money is going?

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Insulation News

Ensuring Insulation Fits

for Improved Thermal Performance

uildings are responsible for nearly 50% of the UK’s energy consumption and carbon emissions. Well-insulated existing and new-build properties will help improve that figure, but only if the insulation is correctly fitted in the first place. global leaders in PIR manufacture, Recticel Insulation, provides a guideline to installation practices and techniques in respect of one of the more innovative insulation products on the market. A Green Building Council report released earlier this year revealed 25 million homes need to be refurbished by 2050 in order to meet insulation standards, and achieve the UK’s pledge to cut carbon emissions by 80%, by then in line with the 2008 Climate Change Act. Excess energy used to heat draughty buildings is a major contributor to the country’s carbon footprint, hence the need for quality insulation that is fitted to a high standard. The onus on providing buildings which deliver in terms of thermal performance will largely fall on architects, developers and the building industry as a whole. However, manufacturers can also play their part by continuing to refine the properties and performance of ‘fabric first’ materials which are so vital in putting a thermal seal on the building envelope.

the cavity, all of which mean that floorplans need to be enlarged, which for housebuilders can mean smaller rooms or fewer houses per plot.

Innovative Solution

Installing Eurowall + couldn’t be easier. To help the installer fit the boards the right way, there is a different gas-tight foil-faced finish on each side: one is distinctive grey alkali-resistant facing for placing against the inner leaf; where wet cement can affect the foil facing. The other is a low emissivity multi-layer aluminum facing which enhances the thermal resistance of the cavity.

Dedicated to raising the standards of insulation products in the UK, Eurowall + represents Recticel Insulation’s commitment to PIR innovation to improve a building’s thermal performance and enhance the comfort and wellbeing of its occupants. Eurowall + was the first rigid insulation board to feature a tongue and groove joint on all four sides. This interlocking feature ensures boards slot together easily to provide insulation that is solid and airtight and minimises heat loss caused by thermal bridging, as well as offering effective protection against elements such as wind-driven rain. In the quest for improved energy efficiency, designers can be left with little option but to increase the thickness of insulation in a dwelling’s external walls. This additional insulation can be added internally, externally or within

Eurowall +, a premium, full-fill cavity insulation board manufactured from high performance closed cell polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam, has been developed to allow designers and housebuilders to maintain traditional build techniques, without compromise to thermal performance. It’s resulted in a board that achieves a U-value of 0.18W/ m2K to enable compliance with Part L1A of the Building Regulations 2013 in England and Part L1A of the Building Regulations 2014 in Wales. Installation Made Easy

In terms of reveals, wall ties continue to be installed at every second course of blockwork, rather than every course, as is common practice. Two ties are positioned within 225mm of the reveal. Corner details are formed by cutting the boards squarely and closely butt-jointing. A vertical 300mm wide DPC covers the corner and runs the full length of the junction. Cavity trays are fitted by either cutting the insulation at an angle and running a DPC over the top of it, or using a partial-fill board behind the section where the DPC is due to be fitted.

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Case study: Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire Eurowall + was used by Mentmore Homes in the construction of two energy-efficient, detached five-bedroom homes in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, valued at £2.5 million each. The high-quality, traditionally-constructed homes feature external walls built using brick/block cavity construction. Cavity wall is the UK’s most common method of wall construction for residential dwellings. For Mentmore Homes, a significant challenge was to retain a standard-sized cavity while complying with the latest Building Regulations. To maximise the thermal performance of the external walls without increasing the width of the 100mm wide cavity, Mentmore Homes specified Eurowall + full-fill insulation. Using this high-performance PIR insulation board enabled the developer to meet the thermal performance required to achieve Building

Regulation compliance. A total 500m2 of Eurowall + boards were used in the wall construction of the two houses. Nicholas Peck, contracts manager at Mentmore Homes was impressed with the performance of Eurowall +: “We wanted to make the properties as energy efficient as possible; to make this happen the best place to start is the insulation,” he said. “Specifying Eurowall + meant we didn’t have to increase the size of the wall cavity and lose space inside the properties“. The panel’s interlocking feature was another element of the product that Peck says was beneficial: “Eurowall +, because it slots together so easily will remain solid and airtight,” he said. “We required a high-performance product for this extremely high-profile project and Eurowall + didn’t disappoint”.

Case study: Hedge End, Southampton; Ludgershall, Andover Ease of handling and simplicity of installation were just two of the reasons Foreman Homes selected Eurowall + to insulate the walls of the homes on two large housing developments in the south of England. The schemes at Hedge End, Southampton, and Ludgershall, Andover, together contain a mix of over 300 plots of social and private housing; homes vary in size from two- to five-bedrooms. Mark Kew, a bricklayer with Foreman Homes, ap-

plauded the benefits of using Eurowall +: “In 35 years’ experience in construction, the insulation developed by Recticel is easy to cut accurately due to the grid printed on the foil-facing side which makes it easy to install with minimal waste. I can honestly say our quality and speed have excelled as a result of its use.“ In total over 15,000m2 of Eurowall + insulation was installed. For Foreman Homes, using Eurowall + meant the homes’ external walls could be built quicker and easier resulting in a corresponding saving in construction costs. And, the full-fill insulation’s excellent thermal performance will mean that residents on both developments will be able to enjoy their comfortable, energy-efficient dwellings. As these case studies demonstrate, innovative PIR products such as Eurowall + contain a host of benefits to fit the 21st century need for insulation which improves a property’s thermal performance and speeds-up the overall construction process. However, for the performance to match the quality of the product, its installation has to be correct – hopefully first time.

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Insulation News

Siniat Targets High Rise Multi-Occupancy

with New Acoustic Stud System

n innovative thin partition system from leading drywall products manufacturer Siniat is set to help multi-residential developments increase floorspace while providing high-specification acoustic insulation. Resilient Acoustic Stud (RAS) 90 is the newest addition to Siniat’s specialist stud range, allowing specifiers and installers to maximise saleable floorspace for both new builds and refurbishments without compromising performance. RAS 90 is capable of exceeding Part E of Building Regulations for acoustic performance in residential buildings at a partition width of only 150mm – up to 50mm thinner than traditional partitions. It is the first product in the RAS range to be designed specifically for use in the residential sector, as well as hotels, student accommodation and change of use projects. With value in every square metre of living space, RAS 90 increases net internal areas to have a demonstrable impact on development value. Most recently, Galliard Homes’ Great Scotland Yard development – a 95,000 sq ft hotel refurbishment – gained an additional one square metre per room by switching from a traditional party wall and external corridor partition to a RAS system.

The stud’s simple design means that frame installation can be up to 50 per cent quicker than standard systems. Unlike traditional metal studs, RAS 90 features an inbuilt visco-elastic acoustic material which prevents airborne and impact sound from passing through dividing walls, removing the need for cavities or an acoustic brace. Lee Hamilton, product manager for Resilient Acoustic Stud at Siniat, commented: “RAS 90 is a simple but game-changing innovation for creating high-performance acoustic partitions. Its unique design provides a minimum 45 DnTw +Ctr while only using half the amount of metal needed for a standard partition, making it thinner, lighter and faster to install than traditional equivalents. “In the context of the housing shortage, the design and construction sectors need to find new ways to speed up project delivery and maximise space. RAS 90 reduces installation time while delivering the high acoustic performance required for modern homes to ensure quality of life for residents.” Reflecting Siniat’s commitment to driving technological innovation in drywall products, RAS 90 has been developed by the business’ own acoustic engineering team at its Innovation and Technology Centre in France, which is managed by parent company Etex Building Performance.

I n s u la t i on

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Our latest arrivals have landed... ...offering you 4 new lower lambda products to choose from Kingspan KoolthermÂŽ K103 Floorboard, K110 and K110

PLUS Soffit Board, and K118 Insulated Plasterboard feature an advanced, fibre-free insulation core, enabling them to achieve an outstanding thermal conductivity of 0.018 W/m.K. As a result, the products can enable buildings to be built to the upper levels of fabric performance with minimal thickness.

Further information on the Kingspan range is available on: +44 (0) 1544 387 384 literature@kingspaninsulation.co.uk www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk Pembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9LA, UK ÂŽ

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insulate columnist

The effects of Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) in the Workplace Insulate Magazine columnist George Elliott, a technical specialist at science-based technology company 3M, explains ways of controlling HAV exposure levels in the workplace

he repetitive use of power tools when placing insulation into walls, ceilings and thermal controlled areas exposes personnel to significant levels of Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV), a health hazard that almost two million people in the UK are exposed to in the workplace, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

HAV is the transmission of vibration from a piece of equipment or a tool into the body, resulting in potential injury and serious health conditions, if used for too long. The most commonly-associated health risk is hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), commonly manifested in Vibration White Finger, a painful and permanent condition that can lead to finger numbness, hand tingling and bone cysts. Users also often complain of a sore sensation and limited movement in the hands, commonly diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome. This musculoskeletal problem reduces the suffererâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to manipulate objects. HAV damage is detrimental and irreversible, yet entirely preventable. Employers have a duty of care to their workforce, to ensure that they have adequate protective measures in place to control excessive HAV exposure. For this reason, the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations states a need for HAV-related risk assessments and requires consequential measures to be put in place to control such exposure. Continues page 20...

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The importance of risk assessment According to the HSE, a good power tool supplier should recommend a range of appropriate tools and include vibration design information. In addition, they should provide a clear description of the vibration risk of each tool and instructions on how to safely use it. Although all vibrating tool manufacturers are required to provide figures quantifying each tool’s vibration HAVS level, a full assessment is still crucial. This is because a manufacturers’ figures are typically generated using a standard test carried out on a flat panel with new machines. The only way to realistically conclude values for each working condition is to measure vibration in the environment that the tool will be used, using the actual tool, substrate and abrasive. A competent person within the company should measure each tool’s vibration level using the HSE’s purpose-built calculator, available from: http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/information.htm. However, the testing equipment can be expensive, so smaller businesses may wish to use an independent company. Even for larger organisations, this can provide extra peace of mind. Because the effects of HAV are cumulative, the calculator gives the total length of time that a vibrating tool can be safely used for by any single person over the course of a day, even with breaks. How much action is required? The level of activity that employers need to take is determined by the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations. This depends on two different values – the exposure action value (EAV) and the exposure limit value (ELV). The EAV is 2.5m/s2 (equal to 100 points on the HSE calculator). The ELV is 5m/s2 (or 400 points). These figures relate to an eight-hour period during a single working day. If a tool’s vibration level is less than the EAV over an eight-hour period, it can theoretically be used for eight hours a day.

vibration to the lowest level reasonably practicable, doing likewise for the exposure level if it is above the EAV. In any workplace where employees are exposed to HAV, employers must provide access to a competent occupational physician to receive detailed feedback about each individual, regularly monitoring and reporting any confirmed cases HAVS or carpal tunnel syndrome through the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). Taking Action to Reduce HAV Exposure Employers can place stickers on tools explaining how long they can be used for or use tool timers, which measure how long the tool has been used for and sound an alert when the limit is reached. A company can also use alternative, non-vibrating methods where possible; automating tasks; using jigs, clamps or rotating work involving vibrating tools between several workers. Using a tool with a lower vibration measurement or a smart sensor can also help. Personnel should be trained to not hold vibrating tools too tightly; use lower speed settings; ensure tools are properly stored and maintained; and check them before use. HAV exposure is not limited to the workplace - DIY tools used outside of work can also contribute. Although out of the employer’s control, HAV risk should be communicated to employees, nonetheless. For more information, visit www.3M.co.uk/safety.

Once the EAV is exceeded, employers must demonstrate that significant health surveillance is being undertaken, along with measures aimed at reducing exposure to the lowest possible level. If the exposure level surpasses the ELV, the operator must immediately stop using tools likely to cause vibration. The employer must then reduce the risk from

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Insulate insulateColumnist columnist

Hackitt Review Must Put Maximum Public Safety First and Foremost Sarah Kostense-Winterton Executive Director, MIMA

ith the Hackitt interim report expected before Christmas, we all have high hopes for Dame Judith’s independent review. What is clear is that we simply cannot and must not compromise on public safety.

As the organisation representing the non-combustible insulation manufacturers, MIMA is firmly supportive of the scope of the Building Regulations review but believes we need to be more stringent, albeit prescriptive with particular attention being given to all mid- and high-rise, sensitive and high occupancy buildings such as schools, hospitals and care homes. Fit for purpose? We need to go wider with a review that fully considers the implications for fire safety in technology advances. Current developments in technology mean it is perfectly practical to track a product from factory to installation while keeping a digital record of what the product characteristics are. A record for current and future building occupants. We should consider whether wider testing methodologies are fit for purpose. Specifically focusing on whether the testing regimes applying in all buildings are only testing a perfect installation rather than a ‘real world’ one. Current regulations are ambitious Currently ‘guidance’ for facades in buildings over 18m high sits in multiple documents with Approved Document B referencing a variety of supporting documents which don’t lead to clear guidance on what is or isn’t permitted. To offer maximum public safety, the approved document should offer the only point of reference and the only permissible routes to compliance should be the use of Euroclass A1 or A2 rated products on facades which should be clearly set out in a redrafted Approved Document B. That redrafting should also clearly set out that Approved Document B is the only acceptable route to compliance

Routes to compliance Approved Document B is not the only means to compliance with the Building Regulations – other bodies are permitted to publish their own guidance on how the regulations can be met. This has led to industry bodies publishing their own guidance on BR135 – these guides both contained four routes to compliance including desktop studies, which allow for combustible materials to be used without even being tested. There is substantial confusion within the industry and even amongst fire experts about what the official regulations do and do not state – many are under the false impression that the oft-quoted ‘four routes to compliance’ are in ADB or BR135, when they are not. Only specifying either A1 or A2 Euroclass products / systems can ever offer certainty to occupants that the façade will offer the maximum protection against fire. All other routes permit human error or judgement in to the system. Classification References in Approved Document B to national fire classifications such as “Class O” alongside Euroclasses than is actually the case. Similarly, marketing terms such as “fire retarded”, “fire safe” and “non-flammable” are

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frequently used to describe the reaction to fire properties of materials which are classified as combustible. The difference between combustible and non-combustible materials is an extremely significant distinction which must not be blurred. Combustible materials contain considerable fuel loads which contribute to the spread of fire. Non-combustible products cannot contain significant quantities of combustible materials, including any glues and binders, as this would prevent them from achieving a non-combustible classification. Fact. Building regulations must offer greater assurance of fire safe performance for occupants of both residential and non-residential buildings over 18m. With the health of building occupants, a priority, the smoke toxicity of construction products must be tested, classified and labelled to provide important information to consumers and made a key component within Approved Document B. The Euroclass system should be the only classification system referenced in a redrafted Approved Document B. All reference to the British Standard (BS) â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Class Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; should be removed as this adds ambiguity and uncertainty of interpretation.

Testing Methods No modelling available can ever genuinely replicate the behaviour of a fire in a complex building in the real world while no fire test on a perfect installation can ever replicate fire behaviour in buildings that have received real world installation practices. Desktop Studies There are serious concerns about the validity and accuracy of probability-based calculations for both desktop studies and fire safety engineering and little to no experience is available today to show that buildings assessed using Fire Safety Engineering have performed as predicted during a fire. Desktop studies do not produce a reliable indication of fire performance. These generalised assessments can do little more than guess at how combustible materials might behave in a fire on an unspecified building. The acceptance of these studies has promoted a light-touch approach.

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BS8414 Test Even passing a full BS8414 test does not necessarily indicate that a system would provide adequate resistance to a real-life fire and do not reflect common installation issues in the market, as recognised in the Each Home Counts Review. Testing regimes must be continually reviewed to keep pace with construction practices as well as to ensure the process is sufficiently robust. The BS8414 test should be updated to reflect real life construction features such as windows and vents and the communication of test results based on perfect laboratory conditions must highlight the limitations of these tests in terms of predicting real life performance as highlighted by the Fire Protection Association. Given the fatal danger of toxic smoke, material testing and classification should be introduced for toxicity. These products must then be labelled and regulated accordingly.

new guidance will tackle policing and sanction should also be clearly set out. No one can disagree that sanctions must be meaningful, tough and properly enforced. MIMA believes that public safety is paramount and we can be instrumental in developing a comprehensive fire risk analysis for both existing and new buildings. However Dame Judith must recommend the right framework to ensure we can deliver maximum safety for the general public across the UK. MIMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s submission to the Hackitt Review can be found here at http://mima.info

Sarah Kostense-Winterton is Executive Director of MIMA, the Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association and provides the secretariat to the Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group (EEIG). For further details of the EEIG or if you would like to join, please contact Sarah at sarah@mima.info

Enforcement Finally, compliance clearly needs to be policed while sanctions for non-compliance robust. Approaches on how any

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Exclusive Insulate Column

A Question of Energy Performance I

nsulation manufacturers sell quality products designed to make people more comfortable in their homes and reduce their energy bills - but is the message getting through? And what will it take for home buyers and tenants to ask different questions? by Paul Forrester.

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A Question of Energy Performance A friend and I recently went walking in the Peak District. It was bright and sunny - a perfect November day for exploring the Pennine Way - albeit cold, particularly in the wind. Our route took us through the village of Edale, passing picture-perfect stone cottages. Outside one home, a man in overalls was attacking a rigid insulation board with a saw. Not in a frenzied sort of way, I should

make clear! In fact, he was being very precise about it. He’d already cut a couple of letterbox-sized holes right through the board, and was setting about removing further sections of insulation to around half the depth of the board. “I want to know how that insulation’s going to be used!” I muttered, fighting the temptation to go over and make a polite enquiry.

The Heating’s On I reconciled my lack of investigative skills with an awareness that I might have started ‘preaching’ to the guy about how he was ruining the product’s performance, and so we continued walking.

“The sellers? The estate agents?” he suggested, launching us into a wide-ranging conversation about the cost of energy and fuel poverty, among other topics. Property performing properly

Inspired by this turn of events, a new topic of conversation arose: “These last few weeks, I’ve had to have the heating on,” my friend bemoaned. He’d only been in his new flat for a couple of months - his first taste of home ownership - and was encountering low temperatures for the first time. “I can’t not have the heating on.”

It brought to mind the fact that, since early 2013, advertisements for property being sold or let have been required to include the energy rating of the property. It also brought to mind the time I was told, anecdotally, that many estate agents advise customers, “nobody takes any notice of EPCs anyway”.

“To feel comfortable?” I added, to confirm my understanding that he isn’t a Dickensian miser who’d huddle around a single candle if it was an option.

Encountering apathy on that scale is dispiriting, but what’s even more dispiriting is accepting there might be logic behind it. For existing properties, an EPC is based on a visual survey and records of work carried out to improve the property. It doesn’t allow for the quality of the work being undertaken.

At which point he asked a question that too few people consider when looking at property: “Why don’t they give more information about the energy efficiency of properties?” “Who’s ‘they’? Who do you wish you’d had more information from?” I asked with genuine interest.

Most likely, it needed to accommodate some service penetrations and a few lumps and bumps in whatever bit of the structure it was going to be fixed to. Trouble is, the holes would introduce significant cold bridges, and the half-cut sections would worsen the insulation’s thermal conductivity. Other software will display it differently, but the important thing is knowing what to look for.

If the cottage we walked past is put up for sale or rent, an Energy Assessor will compile the specification and include for insulation of a particular thickness and performance, installed to an assumed standard.

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The assessment isn’t sophisticated enough to reflect the impact of insulation boards being modified to accommodate services or irregular building fabric. Where improvements are suggested, they’re not always feasible, leading the authority of EPCs to be questioned. An ex-colleague was once advised to consider ground floor insulation to improve the energy rating of his home. He’d have had to dig up the floor of every room, since there wasn’t enough height to accommodate insulation over the existing structure. Hardly a practical suggestion, and indicative of the issues many properties will face when trying to improve occupant comfort. Short-term thinking

SAP calculations, for example. On a more optimistic note, if the new requirement is communicated well then it might encourage more tenants to ask the same question my friend did. If that gives television producers reason to change what they put on our screens, or estate agents to offer more informative advertisements, then we could start to find ourselves on the righttrack.

As property prices have ballooned and escaped the grasp of more and more first-time buyers, estate agent adverts seem increasingly targeted at those who can afford to add to an existing property portfolio. Seeing property as an investment is nothing new, of course, but the effective retrofit of properties is becoming an urgent consideration - and one that is not effectively communicated to buyers or renters. Television programmes like Homes Under the Hammer only encourage this trend, focussing on quick turnarounds, rental yields, and aesthetics and surface sheen. On one episode, the person renovating a house decided to keep it for their daughter to live in. “We’ve taken a bit more time over it than normal,” he said, admitting he only aimed for a better standard of work after deciding his family would enjoy the benefit of it. While it might be idealistic to expect everybody to buy in to relatively distant aims like carbon reduction targets in 2050, the casual acceptance of such complacency on a popular daytime programme only makes the retrofit challenge harder, not easier. A New Direction? Between now and 2020, new legislation will make landlords more responsible for better comfort and lower energy bills for tenants. Rental properties will have to meet a minimum EPC rating of E, and it will be interesting to see what impact such a requirement has. demonstrate compliance, or risk losing work to those who will - especially when other anecdotal evidence suggests this has been known to happen with as-built

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Insulation News

SIG Fire Protection Specialists Increase Client Service Capabilities Across UK SIG Fire Protection Specialists attain FSIDip status to increase client service capabilities across UK

he specialist SIG fire protection service has been developed; with six members of the national team receiving an industry accredited Fire Stopping Inspection Diploma. The SIG team receiving the qualification is the largest and most experienced dedicated Fire Protection team working across the UK. The SIG Fire Protection Specialists offer expert advice to customers installing fire protection materials, in what is a complex and challenging area, especially as now it is under increased scrutiny. SIG’s dedicated team of Fire Protection Specialists provides customers with early engagement and advice on Fire Protection and Fire Stopping for a range of new build and refurbishment projects. Six members of the team, Shaun Hugill, Lee Bentley, Aaron Gardiner, Jon Scott, and Dave Steel, as well as National Manager Nigel Gillingham, have all studied and received the Fire Stopping Inspection Diploma, recognised and accredited by The Institute of Fire Safety Managers and Institution of Fire Engineers. Due to the complexity of fire protection, detailed information such as scope of application, fire tests and assessment reports are needed, as they allow robust

product selection to complement all the other construction systems and interfaces in each application. This diploma provides each member of the SIG Fire Protection Specialist team with knowledge of material technical documents, and the latest methods of best practice. Nigel Gillingham, National Manager, comments: “SIG is committed to investing in our people to raise knowledge and consistently improve skills and available expertise. This has given us a proven level of competency, and we are the go-to people for all fire stopping and protection, with representation in every region of the UK. “This diploma applies a different perspective for the Fire Stopping activities we undertake; on our responsibilities; the responsibilities others have for Fire Stopping; our responsibilities to be accurate in our understanding and our knowledge, and our communication in the high risk, high liability Fire Stopping arena. “I am extremely proud of the team’s enthusiasm whilst undertaking this course, and proud that each member of the team passed with flying colours.”

L-R: Nigel Gillingham, Shaun Hugill, Jon Scott, Aaron Gardiner, Dave Steel and Lee Bentley

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Insulate Columnist

Has the Broken Housing Market Been Fixed? Simon Storer, Chief Executive of Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA)

he announcement in the budget last week of a package of housing measures totalling around £44bn was welcome news for everyone in the construction industry. But will this really deliver on the Government’s promise to fix our broken housing market?

Certainly scrapping stamp duty for properties under the £300,000 threshold for first time buyers is good news for the consumer but we need to be sure that when they invest in their new home that they are getting a property that is fit for purpose. This means being able to buy a home with confidence that has been properly built by a skilled workforce and that lives up to current energy efficiency regulations, otherwise any cost savings on stamp duty will be negated by higher running costs for the building over its lifetime.

It is also good to see that there will be a review on the controversial topic of ‘land banking’. With claims from large builders on the one hand that planning issues are the real cause of the problem and claims from others that speed of build is being deliberately slowed down to push up house prices, it will be good to get some clarity from Oliver Letwin on this so that building can proceed at the ambitious rate demanded. The announcement that support to unlock smaller sites and identify brownfield sites to allow SME builders to build 40,000 new homes is great news for the construction industry but again we need a skilled workforce to deliver on this. With around £34 million promised to develop construction skills across the country, we need to be sure that we get the skills training in place ahead delivery of the ambitious target of 300,000 new homes a year, otherwise the construction industry is setting itself up for failure and consumers will lose confidence. Building 300,000 new homes a year is certainly an ambitious target and a pledge that we have heard numerous times before but we need to ensure that all new homes can live up to the expectations of those living in them or aspiring to live in them. Will that happen? Let’s wait and see. For more information about Insulation Manufacturers Association please visit: www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk

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Insulate Columnist

Fire Safety: Now is the Time for Architects to Take Back Ownership Duncan Voice, Store Manager, Insulation Superstore, outlines why architects need to learn a valuable lesson from the Grenfell Tower tragedy and take back control of specification.

n the wake of the Grenfell tower tragedy, there has been a dramatic shift in attitudes towards the role of architects within construction. The avoidable disaster has forced the industry to take design quality more seriously, whilst also demonstrating how high-quality build specifications can not only protect occupants, but save lives. A post-Grenfell review is currently underway, spearheaded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), with RIBA also calling for a comprehensive reappraisal of Approved Document B and related fire standards. Although the official outcome is still yet to be determined, there will undoubtedly be a focus on the fact that components such as cladding, insulation and fixing methods must be considered holistically as part of a robust fire safety build strategy. Traditionally, architects have always played a significant role in the specification of materials; however, the rise of complex ‘design build’ contracts is increasingly leaving them powerless within the construction supply chain with no say or input on budget cuts or the substitution of cheaper alternative products. Following Grenfell, it is crucial that architects become leaders on fire safety, as well as taking responsibility for their specifications, considering the impact of individual components across an entire build while future proofing their designs by using non-combustible materials. This is an issue focused on care, protection and long-term build performance, working to ensure tragedies like Grenfell do not happen again. Vital Lesson A critical factor in the failure of Grenfell was the cost saving substitution of an FR grade aluminium composite material cladding for an unrated grade with a polyethylene core, which has since proved combustible in Government tests. In addition, the synthetic insulation used on the building was made from polyisocyanurate, which is

known to burn when exposed to heat. Initial reports from the disaster also revealed that the insulation chosen for the £10m tower refit was acceptable for use on tall buildings, but only when combined with incombustible cement panels. Individually, both the cladding and insulation materials can prove problematic, but when used together, they can be, and were, catastrophic. Detailed analysis of public documents has also revealed a complex chain of contractors and sub-contractors, which has raised the question of who was ultimately responsible for fire safety during the refurbishment. 95% of buildings screened and covered by the recent Government BS8414 testing program failed to meet current fire safety standards, indicating that ambiguity and confusion is still prominent across the industry. There are two major fire components of fire safety to consider; stopping fire ignition and intensity, as well as preventing it from spreading. These are essential factors when focusing on a building’s exterior envelope, with all components of a wall contributing to its fire performance. A New way Forward In the past, architects have been able to ensure that specified materials were used as part of a unified design strategy. However, facing increasing industry pressure to cut costs, this isn’t the reality with performance specifications enabling alternative materials to be used often selected by the developer, contractor or sub-contractors. This shift in build processes has meant that during construction there is no longer a single appointed

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professional who is responsible for ensuring that the specified materials perform when placed under pressure from potential risks such as fire, heat and smoke. Designers now need to take responsibility for any non-standard build slip ups. This includes understanding how materials work together in a more holistic way, as well as their influence on key build factors such as fire safety, attention to detail, environmental impact and workmanship. Informed specification decisions should be based on not just budget requirements or their performance in isolation, but on how components interact across the entire build and with each other. Getting Serious Architects play a vital role in ensuring tragedies like Grenfell do not happen again, making fire safety not just an extra consideration but instead a vital component in the early design stages. This is essential when protecting a buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exterior, evaluating and selecting products based on their behaviour with other structural elements, the surrounding environment and its occupants. For example, if a non-combustible insulation product cannot be applied uniformly across a faĂ§ade, it is the architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responsibility to ensure the implementation of cavity

barriers to stop, or at least slow fire spreading. Non-combustible insulation can also provide an element of building preservation during fires, offering an extra opportunity to protect its inhabitants. This is supported by recommendations from RIBA, which has advised that architects should act as a single point of responsibility from project conception to completion, as this would prevent key specification decisions (such as the use of fire-retardant cladding) being transferred to contractors during the build process. It would also mean that the materials specified not only work together cohesively as part of a wider fire safety strategy, but that they are also correctly installed and maintained to regulatory standards. Whilst reviews and investigations are still ongoing, there is no doubt that fire safety regulations and standards will become more stringent, and undoubtedly architects will be expected to play a greater role within not just design, but also construction. Designers now have the opportunity to educate developers and contractors on the importance of incorporating high quality specifications and fire protection measures into building design at an early stage. Whilst budget cuts are unlikely to be eradicated overnight, Grenfell serves as a lesson to all those within the industry on how cost cutting can potentially cost lives.

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Insulate Columnist

Insulating Our Nation's Homes Neil Marshall, Chief Executive, National Insulation Association (NIA)

ousehold Energy Efficiency Statistics published by Government last week identified that whilst there has been considerable progress in insulating homes across Great Britain there is still allot more to be done.

The figures identified that nearly 16 million homes in the UK have only 125mm or less of existing loft insulation compared to the current standard of 270mm. These properties would certainly benefit from topping up. There are still over 5 million homes with cavity walls that are not insulated andvonly 718,000 which equates to just 8% of the 8.5 million homes with solid walls have been insulatedvto date. It is important therefore that Government continues to focus efforts on building fabric insulation measures in the new Energy Company Obligation which is due in 2018. They need to continue towork with industry and consumers in identifying ways to increase the uptake of insulation among householders. To this end, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recently issued a call for evidence â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building a Market for Energy Efficiencyâ&#x20AC;? and the NIA will be responding to this with our thoughts on a number of important areas including; raising consumer awareness of the benefits of insulation, targeted consumer incentives, standards and regulations and attractive payment options. For more information about the National Insulation Association (NIA) contact Meava.robson@nia-uk.org

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Insulation News

London's The Vase Building Enters Final Phase for Western Thermal

estern Thermal, leading specialist engineers in thermal & acoustic insulation, ventilation ductwork, trace heating, and fire stopping, with over thirty years’ experience, has entered into its final phase of thermal insulation and trace heating work for Number One Blackfriars, known colloquially as “The Vase”. Thermal insulation and trace heating work is being completed by the Company on a wide range of mechanical and public health systems throughout the 54-storey building and its basements. Western Thermal is working on the former Sainsbury’s Group Head Quarters and other core elements of the

£140 million project that spans 74,925 sq m and includes 274 homes, including commercial space at ground level. The Company has also been working on the building’s new four star hotel, which is located on the lower three levels. Michael Slater, Executive Operations Director of Western Thermal, said: “The Vase skyscraper is a rich addition to London’s skyline and adds to our fast-growing residential project portfolio. We have enjoyed our role in this iconic project. “Our clients are asking increasingly for our Thermal Insulation offering in conjunction with our Trace Heating specialism. This trend toward a multi-disciplined approach

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to thermal engineering solutions in the construction industry is growing, and Western Thermal’s complementary nature between the different divisions is what makes the Company stand out.” Western Thermal’s client for Number One Blackfriars is

ham. More recently, it has installed thermal insulation at Victoria Station, completed major works at the Battersea Power Station residential, retail and leisure development, and worked on the redevelopment of Bond Street Underground Station, along with a number of University of Leeds projects including the Worsley building and the Edward Boyle Library. Western Thermal’s Trace Heating division specialises in providing water at a constant temperature through a building’s pipes and also protection from frost, which is now a commonplace function for thermal insulation solutions. It is an important and complex part of any given project and key to overall insulation packages. The Company’s trace heating systems include self-limiting

Designer Group, with Brookfield Multiplex Construction Europe Ltd being the main contractor. Western Thermal’s Thermal division is one of the country’s leading heating and ventilation insulation contractors. Its services meet the ever-increasing demands for both economic and environmental efficiency while meeting client specification and manufacturers’ recommendations, for both internal and external applications. The Company has also pioneered specialist insulation jackets using the latest thermal materials, which are both removable and reusable. These include valve and flange jackets, bespoke Plate heat exchanger jackets, which are used in international weather stations, and bespoke trace heated jackets, which are predominantly used within the food processing industry. The division has contributed to numerous landmark projects including Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, Wembley Stadium, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birming-

heating cables, flexible resistant series heating cables, and metal-sheathed resistant series heating cables. The division has contributed to numerous landmark projects including 8.5 kilometres of trace heating and frost protection at One Hyde Park, one of London’s most prestigious residential developments. More recently, the Company has delivered its trace heating and frost protection services at Royal Liverpool University Hospital, the Battersea Power Station development, and C610 Crossrail.

For more information, please visit: http://www.western-thermal.co.uk/

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Industry Event

Ecobuild 2018 The Event Shaped by The Industry

cobuild is returning to the ExCeL London in March 2018 and under the new ownership of Futurebuild Events Ltd, things are set to be very different. The event is being designed and built around the industry, bringing to life the latest technology, freshest thinking and most innovative materials.

The event is not only being shaped through comprehensive industry feedback, but also with direct input from leading industry influencers. These include Lynne Sullivan, Nathan Baker, Julie Hirigoyen, Darren Richards and Peter Murray, who are all members of the ecobuild Steering Group which is helping to set the agenda for the event. Martin Hurn, Managing Director of Futurebuild Events, explains: “New, independent ownership offers a unique opportunity to completely overhaul the event. We believe that to be as relevant and valuable as possible, we need to understand and act on what built environment professionals want to see at ecobuild. We see our role as to facilitate the agenda, rather than dictate it, and we also believe that it is more important to bring future trends to life, rather than just thinking and talking about them.”

The conference programme also includes a panel discussion on the response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. There will also be focuses on solving the housing crisis and how to achieve the aim of making all buildings net zero carbon by 2050. Sue James, Content Producer for ecobuild, commented: “We plan to develop three key recommendations from each conference session, with audience support in shaping the outputs. This will ensure that each topic covered in the ecobuild conference programme concludes with actions that can be understood and implemented by the wider built environment.”

The CPD Accredited Conference Programme

ecobuild Sustainability Showcases

Sustainability will be a key focus at ecobuild 2018, giving built environment professionals the opportunity to highlight, debate and present issues that matter now and will still matter in the future. Central to the event is the comprehensive conference programme, curated by top industry figures. The programme will provide an interactive platform for examining the big issues facing the built environment and creating an action plan for change, focused on real solutions.

Surrounding the conference arena will be the ecobuild sustainability showcases, home to the some of the most innovative solutions to the issues facing the built environment. The showcases will truly put sustainability at the heart of the event.

Day One begins with some of the most pressing global issues, delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda. The keynote speaker is Paula Caballero, Global Director of the Climate Programme at the World Resources Institute.

Paula is one of the driving forces behind the development of the SDGs.

They will feature two full-scale builds. One of these properties is the zero net carbon home from Zedfactory which is designed to minimise fossil fuels and annual energy bills. It offers a complete response to the housing crisis with build times reduced to two weeks. They are also home to The Hive from The Edible Bus Stop, a multifunctional, engaging social space. The sustainability showcases don’t stop there, more details about the confirmed exhibits will be released in the coming weeks.

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The Futurebuild Districts The conference arena and sustainability showcases are surrounded by the futurebuild districts, each of which will act as an immersive and stimulating area where people, brands and companies will be able to network and develop profitable relationships. The Building Performance district is where architects can look far beyond the construction and design of buildings, instead considering the wellbeing agenda across new

and HVAC will be presented through a series of seminars and workshops. The Green and Blue Infrastructure district will offer solutions in water management, external landscaping, biophilic design and biodiversity. New for 2018 is the Timber district, in association with the Structural Timber Association and supported by Wood for Good and TRADA. This will be a showcase for the latest technological innovations and systems, alongside the Timber Talks seminar programme. Another new addition is the Concrete district, delivered in association with The Concrete Centre and This Is Concrete. Here, information and inspiration will be shared to realise the potential of concrete as a sustainable material, as well as its range of solutions for housing, buildings and infrastructure. Following its success last year, offsite technology will return for the second year in partnership with Explore Offsite. The district will feature a ground-breaking exhibition of offsite construction solutions and masterclasses.

build, refurb and retrofit projects too. Leading brands responsible for providing the envelope of a building will showcase the latest construction materials, products and technologies. This district will also be home to the RIBA bookshop and lounge, a vibrant architect designed space next to the seminar area. It will be used to promote the RIBA brand, the benefits of membership and to sell relevant architecture publications. The design of this area will be decided through a competition in association with Rockpanel and ROCKWOOL. In the Energy and HVAC district, the latest innovations and best practices across renewables, smart buildings

This year will again see District Energy taken to the next level. The district will be hosted by the ukDEA and is in association with the Danish and Swedish Embassies. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s set to include a programme full of key speakers and debates, a networking lounge and a product launch pad. Key Partnerships ecobuild is working with a number of strategic partners who are contributing to the overall strategy and shape of the event to ensure it is wholly reflective of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs. Notable partners include the Considerate Constructors Scheme, CIAT, NLA, Bioregional, CIBSE, The Edible Bus Stop and the Edge. The event will also host the BREEAM Awards and the Offsite Construction Awards. You can register for a free ticket at www.ecobuild.co.uk/ register. Alternatively, share your thoughts and feedback about the event by emailing martin.hurn@ecobuild.co.uk.

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