Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Feature


be in fuel poverty, the heating systems installed in new and upgraded social homes carry real consequences for real people. A tenant in a poorly heated home faces not just discomfort but health risks, increased pressure on NHS services and the daily stress of unaff ordable bills. Hydronic underfl oor heating addresses this directly. Because the system covers a much greater surface area than radiators


and runs at lower temperatures continuously it uses less energy to maintain comfortable conditions. It also eliminates cold spots and condensation prone surfaces that contribute to damp and mould, which remain among the most persistent and costly issues facing social landlords today. Radiant heat reduces dust circulation, improving indoor air quality and making it a genuinely healthier way to heat a home, particularly for tenants with respiratory conditions.


LONG-TERM BENEFITS For social housing developers focused on whole-life asset costs, the maintenance picture is compelling, as a well-specifi ed hydronic underfl oor heating system requires little maintenance. Reducing the need for reactive and planned maintenance also translates into meaningful operational savings. Part L of the Building Regulations already requires underfl oor heating


systems to include zoning capabilities, allowing each area of a home to be led independently. Smart thermostats extend this further, enabling tenants to manage the temperature room by room via a smartphone app and more advanced devices use local weather data to activate heating at exactly the right moment avoiding unnecessary running time and keeping bills as low as possible. For social landlords dealing with all these new policies at once, hydronic


underfl oor heating paired with an air-source heat pump isn’t just a compliant choice. It’s one of the few options that bring energy performance, maintenance cost and regulatory readiness together in a single solution.


Chris Stammers is head of heat systems technologies & portfolio manager for BEAMA’s Underfl oor Heating (UFH) Group


Advanced’s smoke control and evacuation alert system protects John Street, Newham


J


ohn Street, Newham, a high-rise residential development comprising Blocks A and C, has been equipped with a comprehensive life


safety solution from Advanced, incorporating SmokeGo smoke control and EvacGo evacuation alert systems to support a stay-put fi re strategy and enhance resident safety. T e project required a robust and compliant


approach to smoke control and evacuation alert across two buildings with diff erent heights and risk profi les. Block A is a 14-storey, high-rise residential block, while Block C is a smaller, four-storey building. Each block was equipped with one SmokeGo panel and one EvacGo panel, providing dedicated control tailored to the specifi c needs of each structure. SmokeGo was specifi ed to deliver active


smoke control via the fi re system, supporting the management of smoke in common escape routes and critical areas. Designed to comply with EN 54 Parts 2 and 4, as well as BS 7346-8 and ISO 21927-9, SmokeGo enables automatic and manual control of smoke control fans and dampers from a single, intuitive interface. Its simple matrix-based confi guration allowed the project team to clearly defi ne smoke compartments and cause-and-eff ect relationships, helping ensure smoke is contained and extracted eff ectively in the event of a fi re. EvacGo was installed as a fully independent BS


giving the fi re and rescue service the tools they need to manage incidents safely and eff ectively.” T e SmokeGo smoke control system and


EvacGo evacuation alert system operate as separate dedicated life safety systems, ensuring smoke movement can be actively controlled while evacuation decisions remain fi rmly in the hands of the fi re and rescue service. T is layered approach supports resident safety without undermining the stay-put strategy that underpins the building’s fi re design. Shaun Scott, applications engineer at


8629-compliant evacuation alert system, giving the fi re and rescue service a reliable and secure means of alerting residents if evacuation beyond the aff ected fl at is required. Each EvacGo panel is housed within a robust, tamper-proof enclosure and is designed exclusively for use by the fi re and rescue service, helping prevent misuse while ensuring clear, decisive control during an incident. John Newton, Director Life Safety at


Simple Group, commented: “John Street was a complex residential project that required careful coordination between smoke control and evacuation alert systems. Using SmokeGo and EvacGo allowed us to deliver a fully compliant solution that aligns with the fi re strategy while


Advanced, added: “Projects like John Street highlight the importance of implementing smoke control and evacuation alert systems correctly. SmokeGo makes complex smoke control logic far simpler to confi gure and manage, while EvacGo provides a clear, compliant evacuation alert solution. Together, they deliver confi dence for installers, building managers, and emergency responders alike.” With one SmokeGo panel and one EvacGo


panel installed in each block, the John Street development now benefi ts from a coordinated life safety solution that addresses both smoke management and evacuation alerting in line with current best practice and regulatory guidance.


0345 894 7000 www.advancedco.com Housing Management & Maintenance Summer 2026


Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning; Safety & Security 29


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