HYBRID COOLING SYSTEM FROM NUAIRE TACKLES RESIDENTIAL OVERHEATING

 

 

Nuaire’s Hybrid Cooling System is a cooling extension for its boxed-ventilation range designed to tackle residential overheating and provide a solution that meets Building Regulations.

 

The Nuaire Hybrid Cooling System is an ancillary cooling module that works with the existing Nuaire MRXBOX MVHR products to provide a hybrid MVHR and cooling system – delivering clean indoor air, while combatting overheating – a modern day issue in many high-rise new builds.

 

The new system is an energy efficient, space-saving solution that can be effortlessly integrated to newbuilds that face overheating problems; such as floor to ceiling glazed apartments where natural ventilation is impossible due to environmental and noise pollution outside, and dwellings which are without shade to protect them from the sun’s heat.

 

 

 

Andrew Nash, Divisional Manager and Overheating Expert at Nuaire, said:

“Overheating is a modern-day concern and not one which will be going away anytime soon – it can cause serious problems with sleep as well as heat stress, and present other major health risks meaning that often, overheated buildings are left abandoned in the hotter, summer months.

“Although current Building Regulations don’t talk enough about mechanical cooling, in most instances there is no other option. It’s important we tackle this issue and future-proof our residential systems to keep properties healthy and habitable going forward.

“With these rising temperatures, 4.6m homes in England already reported to have problems with overheating and more new builds being built set to face these issues, it is time for a fresh look at how we ventilate and create an optimal thermal temperature all year round within a home.

“With no option for natural ventilation, mechanical clean air input and extract is a necessity,” Nash continues. “Therefore, a new hybrid heating and cooling system needs to be considered to help with the optimisation of temperatures, especially within new builds. Our Hybrid Cooling System, introduced in 2022, gives peace of mind for consultants needing to recommend solutions for clean, comfortable, temperate air throughout a property that confidently meets Building Regulations.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE NUAIRE WEBSITE

 

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Play specialist joins forces with Variety Children’s charity to transform inclusive play

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New playground in the East Midlands aims to to transform play for all abilities

 

Access to playgrounds for children identified with special educational needs or disabilities in the UK is set for a huge boost as leading play specialists, ESP Play teams up Variety, the Children’s Charity.

ESP Play will join Variety in a long-term partnership to advise and jointly fundraise to give disabled and disadvantaged children better play facilities nationwide.

Raleigh Education Trust in the Midlands will become the first facility to benefit from the partnership following an initial £50,000 pledge from ESP Play.

This new playground by ESP Play will feature a range of innovative, custom-designed equipment specifically created to meet the needs of children with physical, sensory and cognitive challenges.

The playground will allow children to engage in activities that enhance their development, with future projects earmarked for the North West.

CLICK FOR VIDEO

 

Andrew Wood, ESP Play Managing Director, said: “Partnering with Variety marks a pivotal milestone in our mission to ensure every child can play together, regardless of ability. We are dedicated to raising the standards of inclusive play and setting a new benchmark for all play spaces.“By working with Variety and Raleigh Education Trust we can effectively design a playground that meets the needs of all children, breaking down barriers and ensuring that no child is left out.

“This partnership is a flagship example of how organisations can collaborate to create environments that encourage inclusivity, belonging and development for all children. We’re really looking forward to seeing how this inclusive space will impact the students and the community.”

 

Sean Kelly, CEO of Raleigh Education Trust, said:

“As a trust that has been supporting children identified with special educational needs or disabilities for seven years and we understand firsthand how crucial outdoor play is for their development.

“With the right specialist equipment, we can give them the independence and creativity to explore and enjoy playing in a safe environment that allows them to simply enjoy being kids.

“It’s about integration, not segregation. We want to create spaces where all children can interact, support one another and share the joy of play and education.

“The generosity shown by ESP Play to donate such a large sum of money to get this project started is phenomenal and we’re very proud to have the support of such a brilliant business and an amazing charity.

“The new playground will be a game-changer for our students.”

 

Lyn Staunton, Variety Development Director, said:

“This is a really important partnership between ESP Play and Variety that will help us as a charity to ensure more disabled and disadvantaged children can benefit from the access to play.

“We have been blown away by Andrew’s passion for inclusive play for all children and are looking forward to working with Andrew for the long term helping us provide the best play equipment for the children we support.

“Play has a profound impact on the outcomes of our youngsters and through this partnership we hope to provide the best opportunities we can for every child we support.”

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Joint Managing Directors Acquire Frameclad

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Nicholas Teague (left) with Martin Jamieson and founder Mark Munns (centre)

Light steel specialist Frameclad, announced that following a transitional period, Joint Managing Directors Nicholas Teagle and Martin Jamieson, have acquired the company from founder Mark Munns and his wife Diane.

 

Back in 2022 they were invited to become joint Managing Directors as Frameclad’s founder intended to eventually step back from his day-to-day role. During the last two years they have been working collectively to make strategic decisions to ensure a smooth handover of the business.

 

“We are excited to share the news that this transition is now complete, and we have officially acquired Frameclad,” said Nicholas Teagle. “We have many plans to build on the success Mark and Diane achieved, and we will continue with our long term strategy of ‘investment and innovation’ which is yielding positive results.

 

“I’m delighted to report that there will be no major changes in Frameclad’s management team, manufacturing output or our procedures. Delivering high quality light steel frame systems, backed by excellent customer service, will remain our priority.”

 

Martin added: “We would like to thank our team for their incredible support throughout this time. We are proud of the skills and specialisms we have within our Frameclad community and as many know, people are at the very heart of our operation.

 

“We look forward to growing our relationship with all our clients, partners and suppliers as we continue to deliver cost effective light steel solutions that are designed and manufactured to outstanding building safety standards.”

 

In line with Frameclad’s strategy, on the back of launching the company’s Lightweight Engineered Adjustable Frame – LEAF, the new owners have purchased a further five cold-roll forming machines and have increased their design and engineering team from 12 to 14.

As a leading BOPAS-accredited manufacturer of steel framing systems and components, Frameclad offers a complete package of services to customers. The business has invested significantly in state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and the in-house design and engineering team provides cost estimates within 10 days and detailed designs within one week. The precision steel roll-forming machinery produces one of the largest ranges of steel sections available in the UK today from a single manufacturer.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FRAMECLAD CLICK HERE

 

 

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 Schluter®-Systems ready for any sticky situation

 

It is widely known that uncoupling membranes have become popular among installers in aiming to provide their customers with durable and stable flooring solutions but recent advancements in product development are simplifying the installation process and solving problems which have led to countless call-backs in the past: with  Schlüter®-Systems’ Peel & Stick technology heralding a revolution in the marketplace.

The latest to be added to the range is an advancement to Schlüter’s original DITRA. The new DITRA Peel & Stick maintains the renowned uncoupling, waterproofing, load-distribution and vapour pressure equalisation properties of the original DITRA, bringing with it simple, clean and quick installation. Peel & Stick is also available for both the manufacturer’s electric and hydronic underfloor heating (UFH) offering.

While the usual provisos for installation regarding the substrate needing to be clean, dust free, rigid and load bearing remain the same, Peel & Stick presents the ideal answer to carrying out installations over the ubiquitous ‘green chipboard,’ which tiling adhesive simply will not adhere to. The advantages of being simpler to use makes the product more accessible within the construction industry, with bathroom fitters or builders being able to install the membrane. With no tiling adhesive needed, the installation process is cleaner and quicker, saving time on mixing, spreading or waiting for the tile adhesive to dry.

Schlüter’s Peel & Stick membranes make light work of installing uncoupling and underfloor heating, the only tools required for laying the Peel & Stick, cut-back stud structure with fleece backing is a craft knife, instead of having to mix up and spread tiling adhesive. Crucially it is possible to reposition the membrane repeatedly, with the material only bonding to a substrate when pressure is applied. It is also possible to walk on immediately after installation, reducing the risk of breaking the tile adhesive’s bond.

As well as appealing to tiling contractors, the speed, simplicity and versatility of the Peel & Stick range is gaining interest from small builders, bathroom specialists and DIY enthusiasts; while there is also a clear opportunity for offsite and particularly bathroom pod manufacturers who increasingly rely on multi-skilling their workforce.

Product Manager for Schlüter®-Systems, Andrew Saxon, comments:

“Widening our range of Peel & Stick solutions offers installers greater choice and can deliver a significant number of advantages over utilising tiling adhesive.  It’s quicker, cleaner and overall, less physically demanding; so they can achieve much higher rates of progress.

“Schlüter®-Systems DITRA-HEAT  and the recently launched BEKOTE-THERM  are also something which we are promoting strongly through our distributors and to all the installers who attend our Coalville showroom, that opened earlier this year – to undertake training. We normally run two sessions a week with attendance this year project to total more than 800.”

The 4mm electric cables or water pipes push-fit into the studded, fleece backed membrane which acts as both an insulating carrier and an uncoupling layer to help distribute stresses within the build-up: reducing the risk of tiles cracking. The two Schlüter®-Systems UFH options also offer sound transmission reduction of up to 13 dB.

In general, under-tile heating is viewed as an ideal means of providing targeted heating within new and additional or refurbished bathrooms, and feature widely in top end residential developments.  Convenient and economic, instead of encountering a cold and unwelcoming surface beneath bare feet, a correctly installed UFH system can deliver controllable warmth, creating a regulated temperature within the room-space itself.

The range of Peel & Stick membranes offer the ideal solution to dealing with troublesome substrates, avoiding damage to tiles and can be combined with other products in the Schlüter-Systems range to ensure lasting tile and stone installations.

CLICK HERE for further information

or call 01530 813396

 

 

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ZENTIA UNVEILS DECOFRAME – A RENAMING OF THE AXIOM RANGE

 

Zentia, the UK’s market leader in complete ceiling solutions, is excited to announce the renaming of its popular Axiom range of canopies to DecoFrame. This change reflects the company’s commitment to modern design and high acoustic performance, offering customers a solution where aesthetics and functionality meet seamlessly.

Previously known as Axiom, the newly named DecoFrame line includes several key changes:

  • Axiom C Canopy is now DecoFrame Kit Classic Canopy
  • Axiom KE Canopy is now DecoFrame Kit Blade Canopy
  • Axiom Curved Canopy is now DecoFrame Kit Curved Canopy
  • Axiom Circle Canopy is now DecoFrame Kit Circle Canopy

Aesthetic Appeal Meets Acoustic Performance

Zentia’s DecoFrame canopies are designed to deliver on both style and practicality, providing a modern, striking visual appearance while maintaining excellent acoustic performance. Packaged and delivered as a kit, the canopies offer quick and easy installation. With DecoFrame, there’s no need to compromise between aesthetics and functionality.

This makes DecoFrame canopies the perfect solution for open-plan environments such as offices, schools, and public buildings, where controlling acoustics and maintaining an appealing design are critical.

Key Features and Benefits

Key features of the DecoFrame include:

  • Seamless Integration: DecoFrame canopies integrate effortlessly with nearly all of Zentia’s range of ceiling tiles, providing designers with creative flexibility.
  • Optimised Acoustics: Each canopy enhances sound control, making it ideal for open-plan spaces such as offices, schools, and public buildings.
  • Customisable Design: Available in various shapes, including circle, curved, and rectangular, DecoFrame is customisable to meet the unique needs of any project.

The DecoFrame range offers a variety of standout features designed to enhance both aesthetics and functionality. Its floating canopy design adds dimension and visual appeal to any space, available in customisable shapes like circle, curved, and rectangular forms. The frame and tile system is compatible with a wide range of ceiling tiles, offering design flexibility for all shapes, while the acoustic performance makes it an ideal choice for open-plan areas like offices and schools. Installation is simple and efficient thanks to the joggled Gridline system, allowing for quick, hassle-free setup.

Built from durable materials, DecoFrame ensures long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance. The canopies are fully compatible with DecoMesh, a range of metal mesh ceiling tiles, offering designers the option to incorporate expanded metal mesh materials for added texture and visual interest. The DecoFrame also pairs perfectly with the Prestige range, a balanced acoustical tile that comes in a wide range of colours.

The DecoFrame’s modular construction allows easy expansion or modification, making it adaptable to evolving project needs, providing a versatile and functional solution for modern spaces.

Zentia continues to lead the way in providing innovative ceiling solutions that balance design and performance. The renaming of the Axiom range to DecoFrame reinforces Zentia’s dedication to offering products that not only look great but also deliver exceptional functionality.

To find out more about Zentia click here

 

 

 

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Exciting Times at Breathing Buildings as Company Strides Ahead in Indoor Air Quality

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Breathing Buildings, a leading provider of controlled natural and hybrid ventilation systems, is striding ahead in indoor air quality (IAQ) with three exciting developments. Firstly, the company has led the way in innovation by recently celebrating winning ‘Commercial/ Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024. The company won the award with its new NVHRe, Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe), which is the latest addition to its award-winning range of Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling (NVHR®) systems. Secondly, building on this success, the company has invested in a new Business Development Director, Matthew Cooper to help grow the Breathing Buildings brand providing industry leading ventilation solutions. Thirdly, Breathing Buildings is exhibiting for the first time in Ireland at the Education Buildings Ireland Exhibition.

 

Breathing Buildings scooped the Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year award at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 12th September at London’s Chelsea Harbour Hotel. Breathing Buildings won the award for its innovative NVHRe, which raises the bar on energy efficient ventilation. Marking the next step in hybrid ventilation technology, the key difference between Breathing Buildings’ original NVHR® range and the new innovative Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe) is an addition of a low resistance heat exchanger cell within the unit. This allows the unit to benefit from both heat recycling and heat recovery, reclaiming even more heat than previous models, saving more energy, providing great occupant comfort, and allowing users to include it within the building energy assessments (SBEM).

 

Keen to raise the importance of energy efficient ventilation and the benefits of good IAQ in buildings, Breathing Buildings is excited to have welcomed a new member to its team. Matthew Cooper joins Breathing Buildings as Business Development Director. With over 15 years’ experience within the HVAC industry, Matthew comes with drive and enthusiasm to help steer the team to even more wins.

Matthew Cooper, Business Development Manager

 

 

On joining Matthew said “I’m super excited to join the team and it appears to be perfect timing with our new NVHRe winning the Commercial/ Ventilation Product of the Year at the HVR Awards in my second week of joining! I’m eager to go out and about, meeting customers, gaining new contacts and helping grow the Breathing Buildings brand.”

 

 

Expanding its brand presence beyond the UK, Breathing Building is exhibiting in Ireland for the first time at Education Buildings Ireland Exhibition on 6-7 November 2024, collaborating with Lindab on Stand 519 at RDS Dublin, Hall 2. At the exhibition, the company is hoping to share the wealth of experience it has on how to improve IAQ in schools. The event is organised in partnership with the Government of Ireland and comprises a 2-day multi-stream conference and an exhibition. The aim of all those involved is to create high-quality learning environments for all students and learners. IAQ is recognised as an important part of this goal.

 

The focus on indoor air quality in schools is not new. Prior to the pandemic there was already an increasing awareness of how indoor environments impact our health and wellbeing. In the UK ventilation guidance for schools already existed in the form of Building Bulletin 101 (BB101). The document’s last revision, the 2018 edition of BB101: ‘Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools’ looks at the key design elements of modern ventilation systems in schools. The document sets out requirements for schools to improve ventilation to help create a healthy and comfortable environment that will help improve children’s learning outcomes. Breathing Buildings is now hoping to offer its help to improve learning environments in Ireland too by enhancing IAQ.

 

“It is exciting times at Breathing Buildings at the moment. Not only did we win the ‘Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category with our NVHRe at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024 but we have been shortlisted for the H&V News Awards’ ‘Commercial HVAC Product of the Year – Ventilation’ category too, and we are looking forward to the event that will be held on 28th November.

We also welcome our new Business Development Director, Matthew Cooper who has joined the team with 15 years of industry experience and is focussed on helping grow the Breathing Buildings brand,” said Alexis Roberts, Brand Manager at Breathing Buildings.

 

 

The company’s award-winning NVHRe offers the lowest energy consumption for a hybrid heat recovery ventilation unit in the industry, the NVHRe combines 46% heat recovery efficiency with low Specific Fan Power (SFP) of 0.075 W/l/s to help maximise a building’s energy savings. In addition, the NVHRe has several different operating modes to minimise energy use, enhance IAQ and improve occupant comfort. An intelligent hybrid system, the unit automatically decides when and if mechanical operation is required, ensuring it only operates when absolutely necessary.

 

Providing excellent thermal comfort and enhanced IAQ, the NVHRe is designed to suit a diverse range of commercial and public buildings with high heat gains, such as schools, colleges, leisure centres, offices, theatres and even churches. The inclusion of the low resistant aluminium cross plate heat exchanger to the unit lowers energy costs by reducing the reliance on space heating to maintain thermal comfort in a room. It operates during colder external temperatures, typically below 7ºC when mixing recycled air alone is not enough to maintain the desired temperature for occupants.

 

The range also includes units that can be the primary source of heat; needing no radiators, as well as a system that can offer further cooling. The British designed and manufactured units come in three models with product variations to suit every need with the standard NVHRe 1100 an NVHRe+ 1100 which includes a heating coil and is ideal for buildings in cooler areas; and an NVHRe C+ 1100 which features a heating and cooling coil for year-round comfort and full temperature control.

 

The NVHRe hybrid ventilation system’s ultra-efficient facade-based mixing ventilation allows single-sided, enhanced natural and hybrid ventilation in deep plan spaces whilst making the most of internal heat gains, with the addition of heat recovery to deliver superb thermal comfort and IAQ. Hybrid ventilation focuses on the vital balance of IAQ, thermal comfort, and efficiency by choosing the most appropriate mode of ventilation based on the internal and external conditions, allowing the NVHRe to be in the most energy efficient mode possible at all stages.

 

Allowing low-energy hybrid natural ventilation, even in buildings with limited facade and roof space, highly efficient mixing fans mitigate cold draughts in winter and provide a ventilation boost in summer, with the addition of heat recovery to bolster winter thermal comfort, minimising the need for a primary source of heating for the space, in return reducing energy costs. Supplied with an external temperature sensor, and an internal temperature and CO2 sensor, as well as an intelligent controller the system monitors conditions to create an ideal indoor environment, boosting both productivity and wellbeing.

 

Breathing Buildings’ multi-award-winning natural ventilation with heat recycling (NVHR®) range won the Energy Efficient Product of the Year Award at the prestigious Energy Awards, and also recently won three awards for providing ventilation to the East Anglian Air Ambulance project with the Breathing Buildings’ NVHR® range.

CLICK HERE

For further information on NVHR®, NVHRe and E-stack ventilation,

as well as other products and services offered by Breathing Buildings

or call us on 01223 450 060

 

 

 

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CLEAN ENERGY FROM DIRTY WATER INVESTMENTS

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Following an £80.6 million investment earlier this year into heat networks utilising waste heat sources, Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management is excited to commit a further £20 million to energy-from-waste (EfW) projects in Birkenhead and Loughborough. An additional £2 million will support a heat network in Portsmouth to harness heat from a local reservoir.

Harnessing waste heat produced as a byproduct from industrial processes is an efficient and sustainable way to decarbonise our energy supply. The solution can significantly reduce the carbon emissions produced from heating homes, businesses and public buildings. Through the GHNF, projects across the country are rolling out this technology to recycle waste heat and drive the transition to greener energy solutions.

Wirral Borough Council is benefitting from commercialisation funding to kickstart a project in Birkenhead, using effluent from an existing wastewater treatment plant as the heat network’s primary source. This network will go on to connect 21,000 homes being built over the next 20 years across one of the UK’s largest brownfield regeneration sites.

In the East Midlands, Vital Energi has received funding to sleeve excess heat from the Newhurst Energy Recovery Facility (ERF). The network will connect a new build development and buildings located on the west side of Loughborough University. Connections to other educational institutions across Loughborough are expected in future plans.

Further south in Hampshire, Last Mile Heat Ltd has secured funding for an ambient heat network which will take heat from Portsmouth Water’s reservoir for the Welborne Garden Village. The heat network will provide low carbon heating to 15,000 new residents, shops, schools and commercial spaces.

Locating untapped sources of heat is vital to the UK’s overarching goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050. These projects, kickstarted by GHNF, are expected to save more than 248,000 tonnes of carbon over the next 15 years marking a significant step towards a more sustainable future.

 

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said:

 

“The funding for these three fantastic projects will not only support the communities they serve, but also contribute to our clean power by 2030 mission, ensuring Britain has greater energy security.

“By investing in new, greener heat networks, we are helping more homes and businesses across England benefit from cleaner heating – leading to lower energy bills.”

 

Ken Hunnisett, Programme Director, said:

 

“Harnessing waste heat that would otherwise be lost is a valued approach to enhancing energy security while reducing our dependency on non-renewable heating sources.

 

Today’s announcement expands the growing portfolio of GHNF funded projects that are leveraging local heat sources to advance the decarbonisation of our homes, universities, schools and more.”

 

Birkenhead Heat Network (£887,000 commercialisation funding)

 

Wirral Borough Council have been awarded £887,000 commercialisation funding as part of a £41 million heat network project which plans to decarbonise an estimated 7,448 new homes along with new commercial developments that are part of its ambitious regeneration plans for the area.

The support will help to kickstart the inception of the new heat network within Birkenhead town centre, which is expected to use a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) to harness waste heat from the existing wastewater treatment plant.

A mix of buildings will benefit from sustainable heating and hot water provision provided by the network*.

Cllr Tony Jones, Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee for Wirral Council, said:

 

“The development of a new heat network for Birkenhead, likely to be powered using a Water Source Heat Pump, underpins our wide-reaching regeneration plans for the town centre and is a clear example of Wirral looking to embrace green investment opportunities, promote sustainable regeneration and develop infrastructure in line with the challenge of rapid decarbonisation.”

 

Newhurst (£19 million commercialisation and construction)

 

The Newhurst heat network, located just outside Loughborough, will receive £19 million commercialisation and construction funding to connect 42GWh of low carbon heat recovered from the Newhurst Energy Recovery Facility to Loughborough University in Phase 1.

Construction is due to start in late 2025 and be complete within 2 years. The project will be run by Vital Energi who will fund the remainder of the project as well as design, build, operate and maintain the heat network. There are also plans to expand the heat network to new build residential properties, along with other heat users in Loughborough.

Nick Gosling, Chief Strategy Officer at Vital Energi said:

 

“The Newhurst heat network is a great example of sustainable innovation, transforming waste into warmth and having a positive environmental impact across the community. Many education institutions have set extremely tight deadlines for reaching their net zero targets and we are excited to be working on a project which will help move so many important organisations towards a greener future.”

 

Welborne Garden Village (£2 million commercialisation and construction)

 

Last Mile Heat, in collaboration with Rendesco, have secured £2 million for the Welborne Garden Village heat network.

The innovative solution harnesses ambient heat from the local Portsmouth Water reservoir, supplying low carbon heating and hot water to an initial 700 homes at the Buckland Group development in Fareham, Hampshire. Over time 6,000 new build homes and up to 15,000 residents will be connected. Cooling will also be provided in the warmer months.

In addition, the heat pump solution will extend to provide low carbon heating to 10 hectares of employment space, healthcare facilities, schools, and local retail and leisure facilities for residents over time.

Upon the project’s completion, an average three-bedroom house will save £160 on their energy bills versus other low carbon heating solutions, according to Rendesco.

Alastair Murray, Director, Last Mile Heat said:

 

“With government legislation steering new developments towards cleaner heating and hot water options, developers are working with Last Mile Heat to take advantage of high quality, low carbon energy sources that are more efficient than air source heat pumps without costing the developer anymore. This project is a template for future housing developments of all shapes and sizes and gives the developers the confidence to design their projects around low carbon heat networks.

 

 

Source: The Association for Decentralised Energy

 

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Canadian Researchers develop Innovative Connection System for Modular Homes

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Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario Canada have reimagined the construction of modular homes with the development and testing of an innovative new design that allows the structures to be more easily relocated, reassembled and reconfigured in either urban or remote areas.

The design of the Structural Timber and Applied Research Team (START), located in Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering, uses cross-laminated timber (CLT) and a wall-to-floor connection with few bolts needed in each connection. Unlike traditional fasteners, the novel connector plate was intentionally designed for ease of disassembly and reassembly, ideal for multiple reuses and relocations.

The demand for flexible housing options — compounded by concerns about climate change and its impact on vulnerable communities — is spurring the need for inventive solutions that can expedite the deployment of safe, sustainable and affordable homes. The ability to reuse walls and other parts means fewer materials end up in landfills. The lightweight and durable CLT is ideal for modular housing in remote areas with limited road access. The system is conceived to be transported in a flat pack arrangement and be assembled using little to no heavy equipment.

“Our goal is to redefine how modular buildings are conceived and implemented,” said Dr. Daniel Lacroix, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Waterloo and lead on the project. “We are leveraging mass timber in combination with other lightweight and sustainable materials to create a system that can be assembled, disassembled and reassembled without compromising structural integrity or affordability.”

START’s connector runs counter to common design methodology as it is purposefully designed to allow for multiple reuses and relocations. Moving away from the use of multiple small fasteners closely spaced allowed the team to develop a connector that is practical for disassembly and reassembly.

The researchers tested the strength of their design by standing two CLT panels measuring 2 meters by 2.8 meters upright in a lateral design setup and pushing on it with 60 kN of force, which far exceeds the lateral forces each panel would usually experience. In testing, the novel wall-to-floor connection system proved fit for reuse following several cycles of loading, disassembly and reassembly.

“Reuse means less waste and fewer carbon emissions, so our design’s reusability is an important step forward in circular economy construction methods,” said Daniela Roscetti, who led the research as part of her master’s thesis under the supervision of Lacroix and Dr. Andrea Atkins, a professor in CEE.

START plans to refine their design and conduct rigorous testing in the next stage of development. The team is pursuing partnership and funding opportunities.

Source: University of Waterloo

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Stark Warning about Tearing up the Red Tape

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  Peter Apps, Investigative Journalist

Grenfell commentator issues stark warning to M&E sector practitioners

 

Peter Apps, the investigative journalist who raised concerns about combustible cladding and high-rise buildings before the Grenfell Tower fire occurred – has warned the building services sector not to ignore new building safety regulations in the face of growing frustrations over project delays and rising costs.

 

During his keynote address to the organisation’s Annual Conference hosted by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Apps described the Building Safety Act 2022 as “unwieldy” and suggested that there have been widespread reports of projects being held up by new planning restrictions.

“People are finding the new regulations frustrating,” asserted Apps. “[They say] ‘Why can’t we just get on and build?’… but there are long-term consequences if you do that,” he told the assembled audience. “Every change and every decision affects someone somewhere.”

Further, Apps stated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s promise to “back builders, not blockers” by tearing up “red tape” is concerning because of its implications for the new safety regime.

Apps, whose book about the Grenfell disaster entitled ‘Show Me The Bodies’ won the 2023 Orwell Prize for Political Writing, warned attendees at the BESA Annual Conference that there will always be people “who just want to make money out of you” and are prepared to ignore safety warnings. “Beneath the surface, there’s a lot of work that isn’t changing.”

‘Swiss cheese’ model
According to Apps, the industry continues to rely on the ‘Swiss cheese’ model, which involves multiple safety layers, but each one has holes in it and project teams simply hope that one will prevent a fire from spreading.

“We cannot keep relying on luck,” urged Apps. “We are still counting a lot of near misses, while the world is becoming hotter, which inevitably means there will be more building fires,”

Apps added that there’s a chance buildings will become less safe with the wider adoption of modern methods of construction and lightweight structures. That said, he informed conference that construction is “a great industry” and people working within its boundaries now have the opportunity to reform it “by ensuring every building we work on is safe”.

Apps added a note of caution.

“We all need to be brave and ask the difficult questions that were not asked before the Grenfell fire. There are people who were involved in that refurbishment project who would give anything to go back and do it again [properly]. Their lives are now consumed by it. Don’t let that happen to you.”

Wide-ranging debate

Following on from his keynote address, Apps took part in a wide-ranging debate on the impact of the legislation with members of BESA’s Building Safety Act 2022 Advisory Group. The session identified considerable confusion among contractors about their specific responsibilities, not to mention a somewhat worrying lack of engagement from clients.

Contractors also said they felt under pressure to provide better evidence of their organisational competence and compliance with the new safety regime and also to ensure their engineers are technically competent. While many reported that they are firmly “on the journey” towards attaining that particular goal, they voiced the view that more specific guidance and support is needed.

 

Source: Fire Safety Matters

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Keraflo’s Fire Valves first ever to achieve LPCB accreditation

 

As the Loss Prevention Standard changes to mandate use of compliant fire valves: Keraflo’s Fire Valves first ever to achieve LPCB accreditation

Keraflo’s innovative Fire Valves have become the first ever to receive important accreditation from the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), a division of the Building Research Establishment (BRE). This significant endorsement highlights the exceptional standards and build quality of Keraflo’s products, setting a new benchmark for the performance of fire safety in commercial buildings.

The path to LPCB accreditation requires products to undergo stringent and rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest safety and performance standards. Keraflo’s Fire Valves have been subjected to these exacting tests, demonstrating their robust design, reliability and efficiency in critical fire safety applications.

 

 

Designed with advanced features to provide reliable performance in emergency situations, the valves are built to withstand harsh conditions and maintain functionality over extended periods, ensuring that they operate effectively during a fire event to manage water flow and pressure. Designed for compatibility with a wide range of fire protection systems, the valves can be seamlessly integrated into new installations or retrofitted into existing systems.

 

Highlighting Keraflo’s commitment to unrivalled quality and assurance, the rigorous BRE testing process has enabled the Fire Valve range to boast an unprecedented 10-year warranty. This is 10 times the industry standard and provides unparalleled peace of mind.

 

 

 

“The accreditation for Keraflo comes at an important time in the industry,” explains Richard Braid, Managing Director of Keraflo. “The LPS 1276 standard, issued in December 2018, mandates that contractors must use valves conforming to LPS 2083. However, until recently, LPS 2083 only existed in draft form, leading to varying interpretations and the use of alternative, , products. This ambiguity ended on May 23, 2024, when LPS 2083 became an integral part of the LPS 1276 standard, prohibiting the use of non-compliant alternatives.”

The integration of LPS 2083 into the LPS 1276 standard is a critical step forward for fire safety. This standard outlines the requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of fire protection systems, ensuring that all components work together seamlessly to provide optimal protection. The inclusion of LPS 2083 means that fire valves used in commercial buildings should now meet these rigorous standards, eliminating the risk posed by alternatives. This change is expected to save lives by ensuring that all fire protection systems are capable of performing their intended functions under real-world conditions.

“Contractors will need to ensure that all new installations are compliant and existing systems are updated to meet the new standards,” continues Richard.

“For building owners and managers, it offers an opportunity to reassess their fire protection strategies and install appropriate systems that provide the highest level of protection. The use of LPCB-accredited products like Keraflo’s Fire Valves will not only ensure compliance but also enhance the overall safety profile of their buildings.”

 

For contractors, building owners and fire safety professionals, the adoption of Keraflo’s Fire Valves represents a critical step forward in enhancing fire protection and ensuring the safety of occupants in commercial and public buildings.

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