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Ticking the right boxes for social housing

When it comes to ventilation social housing has very specific needs. It is therefore important to select fans designed especially for the sector. Jenny Smith, Marketing Manager at Vent-Axia explains:

Keeping tenants happy is an important part of being a landlord. After all an unhappy tenant equals an unhappy landlord. At Vent-Axia we understand landlords’ concerns and design products to help ensure tenants and landlords alike are happy.

Happy landlords

For landlords this means a fan which offers simple specification, low maintenance and reliability. For example, the new Lo-Carbon Revive from Vent-Axia is designed to be versatile since it has a choice of run speeds for multiple installation options and can be ducted or through the wall, making specification easy. Plus Revive is low maintenance since its market-leading Multi-Vortex™ technology does not require a filter, while the highly sculpted interior actively repels dust, avoiding clogging, thus helping avoid call backs. Revive also boasts reliability backed by up to seven years’ warranty.

Happy installers

Installers need to be able to fit multiple fans on multiple sites as quickly and easily as possible. Featuring Smart Sense™ intelligent technology Revive is quick and easy to install with the fan featuring a simple alpha numeric LED display which is clear and easy to read and a three-button menu for commissioning and data gathering. Smart Sense™ technology even tells the LED display which orientation to use depending on whether it is wall or ceiling mounted. All of which saves time on site and reduces installation complications.

Happy tenants

But to ensure happy landlords you need happy tenants. A noisy fan will not only disturb tenants, it will make them aware the fan is running, this could potentially cause tenants to tamper with the fan to turn it off to avoid added energy costs. This can result in poor indoor air quality (IAQ) causing condensation and mould and subsequent damage to the fabric of a building, causing costly redecorating. Revive is designed therefore to be powerful enough to remove moist air to ensure good IAQ, but also quiet enough not to disturb while remaining energy efficient.

Revive’s Smart Sense™ technology can also provide real-time data via an intuitive interface to communicate the fan’s energy efficiency so landlords can reassure tenants of the low-running costs. Meanwhile, nuisance tripping is another reason tenants avoid using fans, Revive’s Smart Sense™ therefore features an ambient response humidistat to avoid this.

With tenant satisfaction vital, Revive’s innovative Multi-Vortex™ technology has a high-pressure hybrid impellor that is powerful and efficient, yet quiet. The fan operates discreetly removing moisture and stale air, leaving a comfortable home environment. Performing to its design intent with a tile-like grille, Revive draws air into the fan via its bell mouth design allowing air to enter the fan fluidly and silently. This offers tenants a quiet, unobtrusive fan without a spinning impeller visible, so they will hardly notice it. The tile-like grille also stays cleaner than open-grilled alternatives.

Meanwhile, Revive’s Smart Sense™ also allows multiple configurations so the fan can be commissioned to meet the needs of the property and the tenant. Quick and easy to select, it offers a bespoke solution where performance or noise is key.

However, despite the latest fans offering energy efficient, quiet comfort some tenants may still have concerns. To help Revive’s Smart Sense™ therefore includes a Day Logger which tracks how many days a fan has been running to ensure it is used as intended.

Landlords can also use the Day Logger to track energy use and interrogate the fan on how many days a fan has been on humidity boost mode, pull cord boost mode, or trickle. This information can help build a profile of tenant activity aiding landlords in investigating humidity problems. This allows landlords to work with tenants to ensure a healthy indoor environment.

For more information please visit www.vent-axia.com.
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New retirement housing development to benefit from Polypipe Ventilation’s MEV solutions

Polypipe Ventilation’s highly efficient, Silavent CMX Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) units with Domus Radial duct systems, have been specified for a new retirement housing development in Fleet, Hampshire.

Keble Court in Church Crookham is owned by Anchor, England’s largest non-profit provider of housing and care for older people. When completed, it will consist of 72 luxury apartments and one guest suite over three storeys, including communal facilities. All apartments will come with high quality fixtures and fittings as well as carefully considered design features, making life easier for older people. These include continuous Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV), to improve indoor air quality and environmental comfort by reducing humidity within the dwelling.

The installation of Polypipe Ventilation’s Silavent CMX and Domus Radial ducting is being carried out by building service engineers Heatcare Limited. Heatcare is a long standing Polypipe Ventilation customer and regularly uses its award winning ventilation and ducting systems on projects nationwide.

For the Keble Court development, Heatcare specified the Silavent CMX MEV system due to its performance and slim-line design. At just 125mm in depth and 3.25kg in weight, the CMX is one of the most compact and lightweight MEV units on the market, enabling it to be easily installed into a central location such as a loft, cupboard space or even small ceiling voids. The CMX’s versatile design also means that these units can be easily installed horizontally or vertically, ensuring ease of installation in limited or awkward spaces.

Polypipe Ventilation’s Domus Radial ducting system was chosen to work with the CMX. Richard Bamford, Heatcare Contracts Manager, explains why – “the building is constructed via a fusion frame system, so the Domus Radial semi-rigid ducting was the most appropriate approach to the install – thus saving space. In addition to this, the system is a lot more cost effective on application, in regards to both labour and materials, ensuring a better overall solution in comparison to the other options we considered.”

Unlike traditional ducting systems, Domus Radial duct systems serve each room vent (air valve or grille) by singular or dual Ø75mm semi-rigid duct runs which connect directly to a central distribution system, splitting the air from a slim-line, compact Radial manifold. Domus Radial has been specifically designed for use within whole house ventilation systems and whilst it is much easier to design and install, its benefits also include less air leakage, increased air flow, easier installation and commissioning, as well as elimination of room to room cross talk and a reduction in air noise.

For Heatcare, product quality is only part of the story: “It is always great to receive a first class service where we can request certain specifications and receive a full design brief and optimal solution, as well as offering positive feedback where possible. With Polypipe, we have received this and more.” states Richard. “The product happened to be the best solution on this particular contract and moving forward, it is definitely something we would consider utilising again on future contracts.”

Silavent CMX MEV and Domus Radial systems have a deserved reputation for quality; supported by excellent technical support from a market leading manufacturer and designer. Polypipe Ventilation is well placed to offer immediate, practical solutions to Building Regulations Parts F & L. The company continues to provide differentiated solutions in the private and social housing sectors, transforming the way developers, specifiers, installers, distributors and home owners meet emerging environmental standards.

For more information please call 03443 715523 or email vent.info@polypipe.com
www.polypipe.com/ventilation
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MVHR-Easy with Posi-Joist

The Posi-Joist floor system was recently used on high quality homes for Severnside Housing, incorporating the latest in Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery systems.

Severnside Housing is one of Shropshire’s largest social landlords owning more than 5,400 properties in Shrewsbury and the surrounding areas. A not-for-profit company they invest in their neighbourhoods and work closely with residents, partners and the wider-community to deliver their vision of ‘Excellent Homes in thriving communities’. Morris Property Ltd were chosen by Severnside due to their reputation for building high quality homes and the long standing relationship between the companies. Morris Property are keen to partner on future development projects in Shropshire. The contract commenced on the 23rd March and is scheduled for completion in June 2016.

MITEK-INSET-1

AC Roof Trusses were chosen by Morris Property to supply and install the timber frame walls, roof trusses and Posi floor joists for the 28 room, 3 floor apartment block. The apartments are to have a robust detail sound floor along with a MVHR system in each of the apartments.

The two bedroom apartments all have ‘state of the art’ Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery systems supplied and installed by SCS Group (Shropshire Cooling Services) who although local to the site also operate nationwide.

MITEK-INSERT-2SCS commented on the Abbey Foregate job “We recently used Posi joists supplied by AC Roof Trusses and found that because of this, we were able to provide a more competitive installation price due to the reduced labour costs. Because they were metal web Posi joists we did not have to cut any holes for the ducting to pass through. It also enabled our electricians and plumbers to save time on installation and on materials costs. Having to use a core drill every time our ducting passed through a joist would have taken a lot of time and effort, but we didn’t because they were Posi-joists.”

 

“As a company we design and install whole systems and with the Posi joists we were able to bring it all together much quicker and more efficiently.”

For more information please visit www.mitek.co.uk.

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Breathe Easy?

An overwhelming body of recent research has stated in no uncertain terms the negative impact that poor indoor air quality is having on the nation’s health. Respiratory illness is on the rise and over a third of home are at risk of pollution. Jenny Smith, Marketing Manager at British fan manufacturer Vent-Axia, talks us through the latest research and what can be done to alleviate the problem.

The Royal College of Physicians have just published the report “Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution” which starkly sets out the dangerous impact air pollution is currently having on our health. It states that around 40,000 people are dying in the UK every year due to air pollution, costing more than £20 billion a year. Exposure to indoor air pollutants such as radon and second-hand smoke further add to these figures. The report looks at how factors such as kitchen products, faulty boilers, open fires, fly sprays and air fresheners all impact on indoor air quality. And with health problems such as cancer, asthma, stroke and heart disease, diabetes, obesity and dementia all linked to poor air quality, it is clear that this needs to be urgently addressed in every household.

This new report has brought indoor air quality (IAQ) to the fore once again and backs up the findings of other recent research. The new BEAMA survey “My Health My Home” has revealed that over one third of UK homes are at an elevated or severe risk of having polluted indoor air and follows on from IAQ research by a leading academic at The University of Reading. Professor Hazim Awbi’s report, “The Future of Indoor Air Quality in UK Homes and its Impact on Health”, states the health risks associated with poorly ventilated homes in no uncertain terms.

One of the revelations in this report is that, as new and refurbished homes become ever more air tight to meet the Government’s carbon emission targets for 2050, the number of people suffering with asthma could increase by 80% from current levels. It also states that current building regulations could increase indoor pollutant levels equivalent to the upper end of (and in some cases well above) World Health Organisation recommended limits.

The report suggests that there should be a legal requirement for new homes, and guidance for retrofitted homes, to have an air exchange rate of at least 0.5/hour, to help protect human health. It states that the most cost-effective solution for achieving this exchange rate, whilst still satisfying energy efficiency requirements, is the standardised fitting of effective continuous mechanical ventilation, preferably with heat recovery (MVHR).

Designed to work with the natural air infiltration, continuous ventilation systems control the air path through the home. As a result, they prevent the migration of damaging humidity and pollutants, providing near silent energy efficient ventilation. For new build homes there are continuous whole house Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) solutions which combine supply and extract ventilation in one unit. For refurbishments, there are continuous Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) systems which extract stale air from the home, improving the air quality and preventing the migration of damaging humidity and pollutants. These energy efficient systems are also available with heat recovery. In addition, there are also dMEV single room heat recovery units available. Ideal for existing dwellings, they are low energy and low cost.

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The competition is heating up

With the judges set to meet at the beginning of December to decide on what will undoubtedly be another stellar shortlist, preparations for the industry’s leading event are well underway.

The ACR News Awards panel comprises several distinguished figures from across the air conditioning and refrigeration industry. After the deadline for entries (30th November), the judges will draw up a shortlist for each category and the winners will be announced on the awards night.

The 2016 event will take place at the Vox Conference Centre, a first class banqueting facility which comes as part of a unique and exciting £150m new development. This prestigious venue is situated at the heart of the UK’s transport network and it’s on the doorstep of the NEC, making it very convenient for visitors to The ACR Show.

Advanced Engineering, Bitzer, CDL, First Choice, Hawco, Samsung and Smith Brothers Stores have all pledged their support for the ACR News Awards as sponsors of the event; joined by Toshiba in recent weeks.

Toshiba is to sponsor the highly coveted ‘Contractor of the Year’ award. David Dunn, general manager of Toshiba said: “Training, Innovation and service excellence are key to the industry’s future. The awards highlight and reward achievement in these vital areas and provide a national stage to recognise examples of best practice across the industry. As a leading manufacturer we are delighted to support the awards, which embody and reflect our own values as a company.’”

ACR News editor Lynn Sencicle said: “Contractors are the keystone of the industry, dealing with different environmental challenges with almost every job. They are operating in a highly competitive environment with end-users that don’t always understand the technology. This is a fantastic opportunity for contractors to showcase to the world just how great they are.”

Commenting on the sponsorship opportunities available to brands, ACR News magazine’s Steve Bennion said: “With the ACR News Awards taking place alongside The ACR Show, the event looks set to draw an impressive number of people. It’s a fantastic opportunity for companies to reach a targeted and highly engaged audience, while showing their support for the industry.”

Tickets for the event are now available; for early bird rates, contact Tom Chambers on 01622 699113 or email tchambers@datateam.co.uk.

Early bird rate finishes 11 December.

For more information visit www.acrnewsawards.com

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Polypipe Ventilation enhances specification support with new support team, CPD and brochure

Polypipe Ventilation has expanded its specifier support services with the launch of a new dedicated Specification team, expert technical design services, Specifier’s Guide and editable Specification Clause documents, in addition to releasing the first in a series of CPDs, commencing with the topic of indoor air quality.

The new Specifier’s Guide features Polypipe’s range of specifiable ventilation solutions including Silavent whole house ventilation systems and energy efficient fans, along with Domus ducting systems. It highlights the key features and benefits of each product range and provides product specification details in a clear, easy to read format. The Guide can be accessed from www.polypipe.com/ventilation, which is also home to a range of Specification Clause (word and PDF) documents which can be used to populate your own specification documents through a simple copy and paste action.

The new CIBSE accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course from Polypipe Ventilation focuses on Improving Indoor Air Quality. It addresses why the quality of the air we breathe in our homes matters, the sources of household pollutants and the impact of regulations and developments in the housebuilding sector that are driving the need for improved ventilation, along with the range of ventilation solutions available. It also addresses best practise for energy saving and sustainability, as well as a useful overview of common design problems and how to overcome them.

The new Improving Indoor Air Quality CPD runs between 45-60 minutes and can be conducted on a customer’s premises or at one of Polypipe’s two training centres. To book a course, please call 03443 715523 or email specifyvent@polypipe.com.

Polypipe’s CPD courses are written by Polypipe Ventilation’s Technical Manager, Jon Hill, renowned in the ventilation industry for his work in writing BPEC’s Domestic Ventilation Installer guide, which provides practical installation advice and guidance for ventilation installers.

Jon forms part of Polypipe’s in-house Technical Department which offers free technical and design services. The Department is led by an experienced Development & Technical Director and encompasses expert Design Technicians, Development Engineers and On-Site Engineers.

Working closely with the Technical Department is Polypipe Ventilation’s dedicated, trained and robust Specification Management team, who are on hand to recommend the most suitable and compliant system for a project.

Polypipe Ventilation has a well deserved reputation for quality, supported by excellent technical support, from a market leading manufacturer and designer. Polypipe Ventilation is well placed to offer immediate, practical solutions to Building Regulations Parts F & L. The company continues to provide differentiated solutions in the private and social housing sectors, transforming the way developers, specifiers, installers, home owners and distributors meet emerging environmental standards.

For more information, please go to www.polypipe.com/ventilation or contact Polypipe Ventilation on 03443 715523.

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