social housing

The consequences of the failure to maintain smoke ventilation systems can be dire. Fire often grabs more headlines, but smoke is the real killer.
In fact, twice as many people die from smoke inhalation than they do from burns. Often smoke incapacitates so rapidly that victims are unable to make it to an otherwise accessible exit.
In this article, we will outline everything you need to know about smoke ventilation maintenance, including legislation, frequency, smoke ventilation maintenance services and more.

In new build homes with precast concrete or timber suspended ground floors, controlling atmospheric moisture in the sub-floor space is normally provided by means of natural ventilators. These include airbricks or grilles of appropriate size and number and are located on opposing external walls to ensure cross ventilation. Attention to detail with sleeper walls and other obstructions in the sub-floor void is also required to ensure that the air can move freely with minimum resistance between external ventilators.

While the provision of such natural ventilation is relatively easy to achieve in new build homes, existing homes often suffer the consequences of inadequate natural ventilation of sub-floor spaces. Ventilators can become blocked over time with dirt and debris or covered when external ground levels are raised through new landscaping or patio coverings. Extensions to homes can also result in natural ventilation of a sub-floor space being negatively impacted. You only have to look at the number of mid terrace homes throughout the UK with rear extensions added with original sub-floor ventilators still visible on the front façade but with none on the rear extension to understand how this can be a problem in many dwellings. There is no way to easily naturally ventilate such a sub-floor.

Residents deserve unquestionable comfort and safety in the post pandemic era, as do the professionals responsible for providing it.

Many things have changed over the past eighteen or more months since our world was turned upside down. However, perhaps it’s also true to say that some things such as expectations and fundamental living principles have just been re-evaluated and prioritised into what’s important for personal well-being. For tenants and residents living in affordable homes; whether rented or part owned, that can often be distilled into a not unreasonable must have list, which includes: fire safety and security, comfortable and durable surroundings, which demonstrate contemporary design and all of which has real environmental credentials.

With the majority of social housing tenants having contracts directly with electricity suppliers, you could be forgiven for wondering how housing associations could benefit from upgrading conventional meters to smart meters. In fact, there are many advantages for both housing associations and tenants.
In 2019 the UK Government legislated to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. One result of this has been to put pressure on housing associations to decarbonise the UK’s social housing stock, though housing associations in some areas need to move even faster because local authorities have committed to decarbonisation by 2030.  

Leading Change Consultancy Nine Feet Tall will be hosting a Virtual Roundtable Event aimed at business and transformation leaders in the Housing sector. Digital transformation has been on the agenda for many housing providers and these events provide a much-needed platform for thoughtful discussion and insight.

Customers are increasingly expecting digital solutions for their day-to-day interactions with housing providers and the pressure to deliver is high. Technology has evolved so quickly in recent years and the race is on to provide personalisation, efficiency and more customer control.

The Roundtable Event, on 29th September, will include interactive discussions, best practice advice and the key success factors to deliver transformation.

Still time to register now to get free entry
Just days away, the award-winning UK Construction Week returns from 5-7 October at the NEC in Birmingham and is a one-stop-shop for all things construction, including CPD sessions, product demos and free information on all the latest regulations, digital technology and MMC solutions, innovative materials and new suppliers coming into the UK market. It is the first major live event in the construction industry for two years with over 300 exhibitors, bringing together the whole industry across three days.
Each day of the show will have a topical theme, with day one focusing on sustainability, day two on diversity, equality and inclusion in construction, and day three on the big issues around quality, social value and building safety.

The Pendock Profiles range of pipe boxing and casing solutions is one of the most comprehensive available for social housing projects. Each product is like a specialised ‘tool’ designed for a specific purpose, but also versatile enough to be used on a range of pipe boxing applications.

Incorporating the MXF, MX and TK pipe boxing, dedicated to concealing all types of unsightly pipework, alongside BC boiler casings, CH channel boxing and the strong CHM and MXM metal boxing for external use, the range covers everything that’s required.