Latest innovations and products in the sustainability sections of the construction industry.

Rinnai + Renewables = boosted DHW efficiency and legionella compliance

According to Chris Goggin – associate director of Rinnai UK – renewables technology paired with a continuous flow hot water heating unit can affect major efficiencies in domestic hot water provision.

We need to find ways of using current renewables technology, be it solar thermal, solar PV or heat pump technology, in a practical manner maximised by traditional fuel sources. One of the most ecological and economical methods is to design a system with primary renewable sources and supported by secondary sources such as continuous flow hot water heating.

There has been pioneering products in this category – this includes solar thermal store of hot water and both flat plate and evacuated tube collectors, each with specific benefits to suit the differing design aspects and building envelope needs. Either option will provide years of low-maintenance, low-cost energy for heating water during the summer months – and beyond.

Water heated by the solar panels is stored and technologically this is unlikely to come up to a workable temperature all year round, so the boosting of the pre-heated water to the required temperature by a secondary heat source will be a requirement. With this system it will guarantee maximum solar gain whilst optimizing gas input.

In this scenario a continuous flow water heater can be utilised as the secondary heat source to give the solar heated water the required boost.

These are hot water heating products which are intelligent, fully modulating units, giving an output range from 56kW down to 2.27kW, and only use as much gas as is needed to bring the required volume of water to temperature. For example, if the solar panel array can only achieve a temperature of 40°C within the stored water instead of the required 60°C, and there is a demand on the system of 15 litres a minute, the fully modulating intelligent Rinnai unit will increase the temperature by the required 20°C (±1°C) whilst only using the required 21kW. If the demand drops to say 5l/min the heater will modulate down accordingly to an output 7kW.

As can be seen a Rinnai unit used as a gas booster for solar systems will not only maximize solar gain, it will only use the correct amount of energy for the particular demand at the time. The rest of the time the unit is inactive. It is this, the booster, that ensures never-ending hot water – no matter the demand so people can shower or bath any time of the day or night or whatever the weather conditions. Fossil fuel is only used when the renewable thermal energy store is below its set-point, thus reducing the dependency on fossil fuel and reducing CO2 emissions.

This system is a blueprint for maximizing renewables gain. If you want to make it even more so, opt for one of Rinnai’s condensing water heaters and push the efficiencies envelope even further.

Another technological advantage in using a continuous flow water heat as a booster is that you can wipe out any worries about legionella being a problem with stored water.

If the store is below 60°C the Rinnai Continuous Flow Water heater always ensures that the 60°C minimum is always met, so the system will always comply with Building Regulation L8. If a secondary return system is used again there is a guarantee that the return will always be at 50° again in compliance of L8.

For all-year round domestic hot water, Rinnai Infinity HE gas fired condensing continuous flow water heaters are supplied renewables-ready and are also easily retrofitable with current renewable technology.

Both flat plate and evacuated tubes collectors work best when facing due south. However, evacuated tube collectors will outperform their flat plate counterparts in situations where only east/west facing options are available.

Evacuated tube collectors have multiple glass tubes that heat up by absorbing the sun’s energy. The vacuum insulated tube retains most of this heat and the constant profile of the round tube means that the collector is always perpendicular to the sun’s rays. The energy absorbed is therefore approximately constant over the course of the day.

In the summer months, the flat plate option will be close to that of an evacuated tube unit when facing south. However, evacuated tube collectors have better overall results in both the early and late seasons and are not affected by adverse weather conditions, producing impressive temperatures even on cloudy days. However, flat plate collectors are perhaps more suited to vulnerable locations because of their exceptionally sturdy and durable build.

Rinnai’s award-winning renewable water heating solutions are designed to offer a perfect blend of eco-friendly technologies, guaranteed to provide a constant flow of hot water 365 days of the year. The pairing of a Rinnai Infinity unit with renewables technology really is the perfect fit for a never ending DHW supply.

Rinnai’s expert team is available to help with the design, specification and installation of a renewables heating system.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

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‘IVY’ got a good feeling about this…

With more and more emphasis on ‘urban greening’, towns and cities are becoming eco-friendlier, even down to having ‘green elements’ specified for planning permission and architect’s drawings, in some situations this has created issues, our Cash & Carry facility for Ivy Green Screens, provides an ideal solution to many problems faced by smaller landscapers and domestic clients, holding stock within our nursery now allows customers to buy smaller quantities and for various different projects, from installing an instant green hedge, covering unsightly walls and fences to ‘greening up’ a concrete back garden!

RHS trained with over 30 years’ horticultural experience, with a nationwide service of design, installation and after care for all our products.

As approved suppliers and installers of Ivy screens we are approached by many architects to help complete their larger projects, this provides us with the ideal platform to demonstrate the many different uses that our products can provide, this is very well received and has provided us with new contacts, on which to discuss forthcoming projects and listen to issues they were experiencing for finding ‘urban greening solutions’.

We have worked on many projects from domestic gardens providing an extra bit of privacy from overlook neighbours, to Trinity Square in Gateshead where we installed over 200 Green Screens! Our recent installations include coverage of an unsightly flood defence in Cardiff which is now an attractive aesthetically pleasing, ivy focal point pleasing the local residents.

One of our more unusual products is an attractive floral wall system which creates a living wall made up of cassettes, fitted together suitable for an external or internal wall, and can host a huge range of interesting plant species enhancing any interior or exterior living space – why not have your company logo designed in the plants, it’s all possible with the right plant choice which we will help design.

Various other products we can install such as, soil stabilization matting, sedum roofs and acoustic walling are on our website, www.hederascreens.co.uk.

Please call us on 0845 504 8211 to see how we can help with your project.

Follow us on social media for regular updates, Twitter @HEDERASCREENS / LinkedIn hederascreens.

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Rinnai space heater excels in energy efficiencies

The Rinnai range of Energysaver fanned convection powered flue gas fired space heaters offers the highest efficiencies on the market.

The range has been designed specifically for use in schools, community centres, libraries, conservatories and churches and other large enclosed spaces where they offer exceptionally high efficiencies in operation and contribute to drastically reduced running costs.

The Energysaver 1004T has an input of 11.6kW and outputs 10.23kW. Its measurements are 670mm x 930mm x 315mm and it has energy efficiencies of 96% under the guidance of Part L 2014. This puts it in the top rank of space heaters in its class.

It provides safe, controllable heat with maximum energy efficiency, combined with flexibility of location.

The heater is also suitable for central timer control. This feature allows the building manager to run any number of Rinnai space heaters off a central time clock providing heat to the large of spaces. The Energysaver Multi controller is not limited to single Energysavers as the flexibility of the system guarantees units can be mixed and matched to satisfy even the most unique of buildings.

The units are encased in a low surface temperature (LST) casing to avoid any risk of burns and offer easy on/off operation and intelligent features such as self-diagnostics and a self-learning pre-heat time to maximise heat up time and energy consumption. Warm air is delivered at floor level for greater comfort and coverage of even greater spaces.

Rinnai Energysaver units are very easy to install as there is no need for expensive (and extensive) ductwork, nor do they involve to running heating circuits for radiators or pipework to boilers. This cuts down drastically on cost and time at the point of installation.

The Rinnai Energysaver 1004T delivers energy-efficient and consistent warm air powered by Natural Gas and LPG options via fully modulating burners so heat and energy input is significantly reduced as the space warms up.

“Rinnai energy saver space heaters really do deliver a cost saving on installation, low operational costs and maintenance, lower life cycle costs, lower replacement costs, high energy efficiencies. They are infinitely suitable for refurbishment projects and, due to Rinnai’s confidence in the superiority of its engineering processes, they come with a 15-year warranty on the heat exchanger,” explains Chris Goggin, Associate Director of Rinnai UK.

The Rinnai Energysaver range comprises fanned convection-powered flue models that exceed seasonal thermal heating guidance under Building Regs Part L, while also heating the usable space within buildings, ensuring comfort, efficiency and compliance.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

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New commercial chemicals optimise system performance

Fernox has launched an enhanced range of commercial chemical water treatments, which includes: FC1 Inhibitor, FC3 Cleaner and FC1 Filter Fluid+ Inhibitor. Specifically designed for larger commercial systems, the three new products provide contractors with the high quality and reliable solutions needed to maintain energy efficient heating systems and protect vital system components from breakdown and failure.

Featured within the range is the universal, powerful FC3 Cleaner. Its formulation has been designed to purge commercial systems from harmful sludge and debris and restore the efficiency of existing systems. The effective product is also ideal as a pre-commission cleaner for new installations and suitable for use when conventionally flushing.

Once the system water is clean, the best-in-class FC1 Inhibitor should be utilised to protect against limescale build-up and corrosion formation. The FC1 Inhibitor is a proven formulation that is left within the system to maintain system efficiency and extend component longevity.

In cases where conventional flushing is difficult, not practical or even where high pressure powerflushing could create further system problems, then the unique FC1 Filter Fluid+ Inhibitor is recommended. The product combines the proven effectiveness of F1 inhibitor with an active dispersant package to detect, lift and deliver contaminants to a system filter.

For example when used together, FC1 Filter Fluid + Inhibitor and the TF1 Delta Filter will continuously protect against circulating debris that could cause system damage or breakdown – working to restore system efficiency. This complete solution mitigates the need for a system shutdown.

Also featured within the commercial chemical range is the popular Alphi-11 Antifreeze Protector. With proven capabilities and a reliable performance, the product is both non-toxic and compatible with metals and materials commonly used in heating systems. Alphi-11 can be left in the system all year to prevent frost damage and freezing pipework to temperatures down to -22 ̊C. Additionally, the combined antifreeze and inhibitor package avoids the need for a winter drain down and prolongs system life.

“Commercial heating systems are vulnerable to the build-up of sludge, scale and corrosion, all of which not only has a detrimental effect on system performance and carbon emissions but also affect the longevity of the system,” said Francine Wickham, Global Marketing Director at Fernox. “Our complete range of chemical water treatment and filter technology allows contractors to maximise the energy efficiency of commercial systems and protect vital and expensive system components from premature breakdown.”

FC1 Inhibitor, FC3 Cleaner and FC1 Filter Fluid+ Inhibitor are available in 20 litre packs and Alphi-11 Antifreeze Protector is available in a 25 litre pack.

For more information on Fernox’s new commercial chemical water treatments, visit: www.fernox.com.

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Rinnai – The infinite hot water & space heater solution

Rinnai’s Infinity range of continuous flow gas fired water heaters includes heavy duty and condensing units that are engineered to guarantee high efficiencies and low running costs – and exceed future and current regulations and standards like those proposed by Part L Building Regulations and ERP.

Rinnai is also the manufacturer and supplier of the Energysaver range of space heaters designed for fast and efficient heating. The range comprises of fanned convection-powered flue models that exceed seasonal thermal heating guidance under Building Regs Part L.

And now, new technologically advanced additions enhance the ranges still further.

Rinnai’s heavy duty condensing (HDC) Infinity models

NEW: The latest addition to the range is the Infinity HDC1600i renewables-ready low NOx series, the first heater of its kind to utilise Rinnai’s own patented pre-mix burner technology. The newly developed down-firing burner allows increased efficiency and reduces NOx gases. The Infinity 1600i series is available with an output of 58.4kw producing 16.2 litres of temperature controlled hot water per minute (or 972 per hour) raised at 60°C.

The HDC1200 internal and external models give an energy performance of 107% net efficiency while the larger Rinnai HDC1500 internal and external models turn in 105% net efficiency.

These Rinnai condensing continuous flow water heaters are extremely low NoX, less than 20ppm, with net efficiencies of 105-107% and flow rates up to an excess of 972 litres per hour @ a 60° temperature rise.

Rinnai Infinity bespoke solutions – compliance packages

NEW: Rinnai has devised a bespoke turn-key solution that has now been adopted as the preferred water heating choice for a global fast food chain. The Pack has been designed to provide better on-site efficiency and is supplied to site in bundles, including best in class Rinnai Infinity continuous flow gas fired water heaters and all relevant parts, including scale protection technology where necessary. The pack comes with bespoke installation instructions and schematics inclusive of commissioning sheets for sign off, ensuring a one hit install.

The ERP ready system offers proven 105% efficiency, supports G3 compliance and Legionella (ACOP L8) compliance as well as being best in class under Part L building regulations.

Rinnai Infinity Plus

The Infinity Plus solution for large commercial operations has been developed to provide never-ending hot water without costly storage and brings together multiple units of the company’s award-winning condensing continuous flow water heaters into single, easily manoeuvrable modules.
The comprehensive Rinnai Infinity PLUS range offers specifiers and end users a system that guarantees a constant flow of safe hot water at precisely the chosen temperature. Operated via an easy to use built-in digital controller, the water heater provides near mains pressure flow for as long as is necessary. Rinnai can design these systems to supply in excess of 24,000 litres per hour at 50°temperature rise.

Rinnai Infinity Plus storage

Using a modular system of either internal or external Rinnai HD or HDC condensing water heaters and a stainless steel storage vessel, demands in excess of 20,000 litres per hour can be satisfied. Rinnai Infinity Plus Storage packs represent the best value-for-money hot water storage solutions on the market today with everything delivered direct to site in one complete package.

Rinnai renewables heating solutions

Rinnai units used as a gas booster to solar thermal or heat pump installations. This maximises renewable gains. Rinnai infinity water heaters are the only booster that can modulate from 58kw to 2.4kw ensuring renewable hot water is only complimented by gas. A comprehensive range of renewables products including solar arrays is available.

Rinnai Digital, BMS Gateway and controllers

For commercial buildings, Rinnai’s development and investment in integral smart controls for its appliances makes them compatible with sophisticated BMS system. Rinnai BMS Gateway’s enable the interaction between the water heater and building management systems, allowing easy monitoring which in turn identifies areas where energy is being wasted, error messaging supporting first time repair, trend logging and much more.

Rinnai Solo

NEW: The Infinity Solo condensing low NOX is the first Rinnai product for the UK to combine the advanced technology of its wall mounted continuous flow water heaters with a stainless steel storage cylinder all in one compact footprint.

Because the cylinder is stainless steel it greatly reduces the weight compared to glass lined models, which makes transportation and installation easier. As well as the difference in weight, the cylinders available also have extremely low heat loss figures (as low as 1.5kW/h day), which means the customer pays less to maintain the heat within the tank. The Infinity Solo also has the fastest recovery times on the market these can be as short as 19 minutes.

Common flue header system

Rinnai has also pioneered a common header flue system to streamline manifolded installations of its award-winning Infinity condensing continuous flow gas water heaters. Previously multiple installations in an interior plant room would have meant each unit had to have its own flue and that meant punching a hole through the building fabric for each individual unit, a time consuming and expensive necessity.

Lime scale checker

Another simple but effective idea safeguards against lime scale build up occurring in Rinnai continuous flow water heaters a scale control system continually monitors the appliances for lime scale deposits around the heat exchanger and alerts the end user that it is time to perform a lime scale flush.

Energysaver space heaters

Rinnai Energysaver 559T, 309T and 1004T deliver energy-efficient and consistent warm air powered by Natural Gas and LPG options and are built with fully modulating burners so heat output and energy input is reduced as the space warms up. The units may also be controlled via a central timer for added economy and occupant comfort and are encased in a low surface temperature (LST) casing. The heaters are suitable for central timer control. This feature allows the building manager to run any number of Rinnai space heaters off a central time clock providing heat to the large of spaces.

The Rinnai Energysaver 559T unit turns in efficiencies of almost 92% when you are considering the effective heat generator seasonal efficiency required for UK building regulations. It has an input of 6.4kW and output of 5.2kW. The unit measures 554mm x 750mm x 250mm.

The Energysaver 1004T has an input of 11.6kW and outputs 10.23kW. Its measurements are 670mm x 930mm x 315mm and it has energy efficiencies of 96% under the guidance of Part L 2014.

The Energysaver 309T has an input of 3.4hw supported by 85.9% efficiency making it ideal for smaller light commercial and domestic installs.

HD range

Rinnai has a range of cost effective HD solutions ideal for light commercial and replacement products. The HD range consists of the HD50, HD70E, HD55i and HD55E. The units range from 54kw to 69kw and produce as little as 20ppm NOx whilst having the capability to produce up to 979 ltr/hr at a 50°C rise.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

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Cool solutions for residential corridor overheating

Dr Chris Iddon, Design Manager with SE Controls, explores the growing issue of corridor overheating and studies into real buildings are enabling effective solutions to be applied to the problem.

In some ways it is ironic that the issue of building overheating can be partly accredited to the increased drive towards improving energy efficiency. This fact has been recognised by the Zero Carbon Hub in its recent report into overheating in homes, as well as CIBSE’s latest revision to its ‘Guide A: Environmental Design’ (8th edition 2015), which specifically identifies the potential causes and consequences of corridor overheating.

It wasn’t that long ago that, if a building’s occupants got too hot, they opened a window or turned up the air conditioning to return the internal temperature to within more comfortable parameters, although there are clearly some significant issues with this simplistic approach to temperature management. However, during the past 25 years or so, concerns over climate change, dwindling fuel resources and increasing energy costs, has resulted a much stricter legislative and regulatory environment governing building design and energy management.

Within this framework, retaining heat within a building is usually a key design goal, as it reduces energy demand for heating and the cost of maintaining a comfortable internal environment, the application of these various energy reduction techniques can have some surprising and unintended consequences.

Multi storey residential blocks, for example, are subject to the specifications for ‘leakage’, ‘infiltration’ and energy performance, yet as Building Regulations deals only with the dwellings themselves a building’s circulation spaces are excluded.

As innovative building designs seek to legitimately maximise rentable space, this often creates ‘landlocked’ spaces that have no ventilation. Given that corridors are often sealed by fire doors and the practice of routing heating pipework through ceiling voids is a common solution, it’s unsurprising that communal corridor temperatures can readily exceed 35 degrees Celsius.

Understanding the dynamics of overheating

For a number of years, SE Controls has been directly involved with various consultants; developers and contractors to not only address the issue by providing specific solutions to improve ventilation and cooling, but also to obtain a more detailed understanding of the dynamics involved in the overheating of corridors and circulation spaces.

By undertaking detailed studies of real buildings and combining them with theoretical computer thermal modelling, it has not only been possible to refine the modelling algorithms and make them even more accurate, but also design effective solutions that can address the problem using a building’s existing smoke control system.

As smoke control ventilation systems are a legal requirements in buildings over three storeys high, it makes financial and practical sense to adapt the existing system, enabling it to undertake the additional role of day to day environmental ventilation and cooling of circulation spaces.

Among the various corridor-overheating projects undertaken, one of the most interesting was a study we undertook that evaluated a London building with circulation space ventilation incorporated within the design from the outset and compared it to one in Kent where no similar ventilation solution had been installed. As overheating issues typically become more intense during summer months, the study was conducted between 19th June and 29th December 2014, which also provided data during autumn and early winter for comparative purposes.

Temperature measurement and adaptive comfort

Hourly temperatures in the first floor lobby of both buildings were monitored to obtain a clearer picture of the internal thermal profile, while corresponding hourly external weather information from RAF Northolt provided relevant ‘ambient’ temperature data for the same period. During the study, a MET Office Level 2 heatwave warning (max temperature of 30 degrees Celsius) was issued for 18th to 20th July.

Results analysis – the heat is on

Over the duration of the study, the external temperature ranged from a minimum of – 6°C during December to a maximum of 30°C in July, giving and average of 12°C throughout the period.

In comparison, the London building, which utilised its smoke ventilation system to provide supplementary environmental ventilation, the average temperature was 18.6°C with corresponding minimum and maximum figures of 10.3°C and 27.3°C respectively.

However, in stark contrast, the Kent building with unventilated corridors recorded some disturbing results with temperatures ranging from 22.3°C up to an extremely uncomfortable high of 33.8°C with an average 28.5°C.

Even more concerning is the fact that for 64% of the total monitoring period, the Kent property’s temperature exceeded 28°C, which is significantly above current CIBSE guidance on overheating thresholds where 28°C should be exceeded for less than 1% of the time.

The comparative temperature distribution analysis for both buildings also showed a significant difference with the most frequent internal temperature for Kent being 28-29°C, while in London, the figures were 8 degrees cooler at 20-21°C.

Although this study was focused specifically on temperature parameters within the two buildings, it must be remembered that where no ventilation is present in sealed or ‘landlocked’ spaces, the air will usually be stagnant and of poor quality, often containing pathogens along with other contaminants, which cannot be readily ‘flushed’ or vented from the building.

By utilising existing smoke ventilation systems and adapting their operation, without compromising their life critical primary operation characteristics, a simple and cost effective solution is already available that mitigates overheating, improves air quality and helps buildings comply with relevant adaptive comfort guidelines.

The only question that remains, is how many other buildings suffer from the same extreme overheating and air quality issues as those measured in Kent, which are likely to be caused unintentionally, purely by complying with Building Regulations? From the results of SE Controls’ own numerous research studies, the answer is …“probably more than we think.”

For more information please visit www.secontrols.com.

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Rinnai Space Heaters give it LARGE for big spaces

All models in the Rinnai range of Energysaver fanned convection powered flue gas fired space heaters are designed specifically for use in schools, community centres, libraries, conservatories and churches. They give exceptionally high efficiencies in operation and subsequently reduced running costs.

A major problem when heating a church or other large public space is the pattern of usage, fabric, design and the age of the building. For example, the building may be heated for a Sunday service, or possibly a mid week meeting and then unused for days at time. It is for just such situations as these that the Rinnai Energysaver range has been devised.

Rinnai energy saver units are very easy to install as they do not need expensive (and extensive) ductwork, nor do they involve the necessity to run domestic heating circuits for radiators or pipework to boilers. This can cut down drastically on cost and time at the point of installation.

Rinnai Energysaver Space Heaters deliver energy-efficient and consistent warm air powered by Natural Gas or LPG options and are built with fully modulating burners so heat output and energy input is reduced as the space warms up. The units may also be controlled via a central timer for added economy and occupant comfort.

The units, encased in a low surface temperature (LST) casing to avoid any risk of unnecessary discomfort, are swift to warm up, easy to control and are very economical to run. They offer easy on/off operation and intelligent features such as self-diagnostics and a self-learning pre-heat time to maximise heat up time and energy consumption.

The Rinnai Energysaver 559T unit turns in efficiencies of almost 92% when you consider the effective heat generator seasonal efficiency required for UK building regulations. It has an input of 6.4kW and output of 5.2kW. The unit measures 554mm x 750mm x 250mm.

The Energysaver 1004T has an input of 11.6kW and outputs 10.23kW. Its measurements are 670mm x 930mm x 315mm and it has energy efficiencies of 96% under the guidance of Part L 2014.

Both heaters are also suitable for central timer control. This feature allows the building manager to run any number of Rinnai space heaters off a central time clock providing heat to the large of spaces. The Energysaver Multi controller is not limited to single Energysavers as the flexibility of the system guarantees units can be mixed and matched to satisfy even the most unique of buildings.

The Rinnai Energysaver range comprises fanned convection-powered flue models that exceed seasonal thermal heating guidance under Building Regs Part L, while also heating the usable space within buildings, ensuring comfort, efficiency and compliance.

In a building with high vaulted ceilings, with conventional convector heaters and wet systems, the heat will immediately rise to the ceiling. However, Rinnai has come up with an innovative solution, that heats
from the floor up and by modulating gas usage in relation to room temperature, provides unparalleled levels of comfort combined with efficiency.

In effect, the heaters provide safe, controllable heat with maximum energy efficiency, combined with flexibility of location.

“Rinnai energy saver space heaters really do deliver a cost saving on installation, low operational costs and maintenance, lower life cycle costs, lower replacement costs, high energy efficiencies. They are infinitely suitable for refurbishment project and they come with a 15-year warranty on the heat exchanger,” explains Chris Goggin, Associate Director of Rinnai UK.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com

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Swish Building Products seals the deal with ALMO

Swish Building Products has been named roofline and rainwater supplier for a rolling refurbishment programme by ALMO, Your Homes Newcastle (YHN). Supplied and installed by Swish Approved Installer JDP Contracting Services, the Swish roofline and rainwater systems will be installed on around 500 homes per year.

YHN demanded an ‘equal or approved’ product in response to its performance specification. The contractor selected the products which best fitted the criteria. “We are very happy with the Swish products and have recently started using the Sustainable Rainwater range which contains a high percentage of recycled content,” commented Tom Jarman, environmental sustainability coordinator, property services for YHN. “In using this particular range of products we are able to fulfil our environmental commitments. Also we are now starting to replace older PVC-U products so in buying rainwater goods with recycled content we are helping to ‘close the loop’ when the waste items are taken away.”

Swish’s Sustainable Rainwater products contain up to 84% recycled content, a combination of old windows and guttering systems. This can save up to 70% in CO2 output during the production process when compared to 100% virgin material. The products are two-tone; the recycled material is grey and is co-extruded with an outer skin of virgin material, avoiding the unnecessary use of additional colouring agents. Co-extrusion improves the aesthetics of the product and allows installers to achieve a colour match.

The use of the Gateshead-based collection depot meant that the product choice also supported local employment, an important factor in meeting the ALMO’s social responsibilities.

YHN reached Decent Homes Standard in 2012 so now all its work is lifecycle replacement. The roofline and rainwater products are being installed in conjunction with its rolling re-roofing programme, replacing timber and asbestos cement products. “The reason behind the replacement was maintenance,” continues Tom. “We wanted to cut right back on the level of painting required; in doing so we would not only withdraw the cost from the maintenance programme but also reduce the overheads associated with it, scaffolding for example. Swish’s PVC-U products have allowed us to achieve this.”

Swish roofline and rainwater products have been fitted on 300 YHN homes with a further 230 currently underway. The refurbishment of 300 more homes is planned for the remainder of 2015 as part of an ongoing schedule of works.

YHN manages council houses on behalf of Newcastle City Council. Established in 2004 with the specific target of meeting Decent Homes Standard, the ALMO now manages around 30,000 properties. One of its main objectives is to ‘make the money deliver’, the use of low maintenance products like those available from Swish Building Products go some way in helping to achieve this.

For more information on Swish Building Products’ full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

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Is Offsite Construction the Perfectly Timed Solution for the Construction Industry?

The call for a quick and sustainable solution to the current housing shortage has created an opportunity for offsite construction to become a key building method to meet the demand in the housing industry. Kingspan Timber Solutions’ Business Unit Director, Ian Loughnane, offers his perspective on the offsite construction in the housing industry:

“Back in February 2013 the Offsite Housing Review was published by the Construction Industry Council – the most striking aspect of the investigation was the broad level of agreement amongst experts that the solution to the shortfall in housing stock would require the extensive use of prefabricated building techniques. The timber frame industry can certainly answer that call when it comes, which surely it must. The impetus required will undoubtedly be government led but it’s not just about the numbers. As a nation we need affordable, well designed and energy efficient homes that address the significant issues of fuel poverty and climate change. This combination of requirements plays to the strengths of timber frame and structural insulated panels (SIPS), which deliver the sustainable solution.

Energy efficiency doesn’t mean an explosion of high tech, expensive and ultimately obsolete eco-bling. The industry has invested heavily in getting fabric solutions that deliver high performance without the future maintenance costs that non-fabric solutions entail. This approach, synonymous with offsite construction, focuses on the delivery of an airtight building envelope to achieve sustainable and energy efficient new homes, reducing CO2 emissions, energy consumption and associated costs.

In the two years since the publication of this report we have come a long way. Offsite construction technology delivers a predictable performance level, with fewer construction defects or wasted materials. We are able to provide a marked decrease in the build time with a marked increase in the standard of build. This combination of requirements plays to the strengths of timber technology which offers a low-energy design as standard.

The compounded problem of lack of delivery of housing stock during the recession is now reversing to a large pipeline of activity where the pressure is building and the tap is about to be opened. Research finds that there are no regulatory barriers to the increased use of offsite methods and it is predicted by industry professionals that at some point there will be a transition that will see offsite components increasingly being used in place of conventional site-based construction methods.
Housebuilders have concerns over the declining levels of traditional skills, however as a timber frame manufacturer and supplier, I recognise that new skills are required for offsite construction and gaining the right skills will offer employment opportunities for many.

Many purchasers have no clue that their new home may be five years out of date as far as energy performance is concerned. The need to bring these matters to the fore is why the BRE developed the customer facing Housing Quality Mark scheme, which includes energy performance. The sooner the house buying public begins to look at home energy running costs in the same way as car buyers look at MPG, the better.

The market is definitely showing higher levels of optimism amongst the timber offsite solution suppliers, with more positive signs of investment and an increase in activity levels. The transition to a low-carbon economy presents our industry with great opportunities for growth. Environmental considerations will transform how our buildings are constructed, what materials are used and the methods employed. I believe that we are now on the cusp of the predicted ‘sea-change’ and that the time is right for the construction industry to embrace innovative timber technology and offsite techniques to develop better buildings at a rapid rate to enhance lives, minimise the environmental impact and reduce energy costs for occupants for many years to come.”

To find out more about Kingspan Timber Solutions visit: www.kingspantimbersolutions.co.uk

To book a CPD session: call: 01767 676400 or email: info@kingspantimbersolutions.com

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Commercial building projects offered free support package to build to latest sustainable standard

Developers interested in building a small commercial project to cutting-edge sustainable design levels can benefit from a substantial support package from Saint-Gobain.

The company has developed the Multi-Comfort standard, based on Passive House standards, which has a holistic approach to occupier comfort, factoring in thermal, audio, visual and indoor air comfort, plus overall economic comfort, in terms of affordability and lifetime costs.

Now Saint-Gobain is looking to support a small number of exemplar projects to capture data and prove the concept.

The first Multi-Comfort project in the UK is already under construction, with a new sports and drama hall at a leading private school and the company is also supporting exemplar projects in the health building and self-build sectors.

The support package includes design and specification assistance, Passive House modelling, independent testing and certification and two free places on the Passive House Tradesperson Course, accredited by the Passivhaus Institut.

Stacey Temprell, Residential Sector Director at Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland, commented “Building to Multi-Comfort standards will mean minimal changes to designs, no additional cost of construction and no more time on site. The completed Multi-Comfort building will also be more appealing to the occupant.

“We are committed to offering a comprehensive support package throughout the design and build phase. In return, we will carry out testing and evaluation to prove the concept and provide mutual learning and development.

“In addition, participating in an exemplar project will demonstrate a real commitment to delivering innovative sustainable buildings.”

To apply to become an exemplar project, visit www.multicomfort.co.uk/exemplar-projects

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