70 INSULATION; INTERIORS Selected fabric performance requirements from Notional Dwelling/Notional Building specifi cations
fabric requirements which were outlined in the 2021 consultation. This approach is laid out in the third column of the table. As you can see, while the requirements are a step-up from existing requirements in England, they are still less demanding than those already being delivered in Wales. As such, they should be practical to achieve.
While these lower U-values may have an impact on the thickness of insulation required, this can often be minimised by using products with lower thermal conductivities (lambda values). The lower the thermal conductivity of a material, the better it is at preventing heat loss. This can reduce the thickness of insulation needed to achieve a desired U-value. In addition, many manufacturers now provide thermal detailing guides for products. These will typically be designed to achieve better psi-values than the default values or global values within the energy modelling software. This can
support compliance, particularly with the FEES requirement.
MONITORING
Aside from these changes, the consultation also looks to address the performance gap between the designed and actual energy performance of buildings by introducing a Voluntary Post Occupancy Performance testing requirement for new homes. While this is a welcome inclusion, a compulsory requirement for all new homes would seem to make more sense. This would allow the causes of underperformance to be more easily identifi ed across our housing developments, and lessons learnt to prevent this. The simplest way to do this would be to replace the current Primary Energy Metric (which considers not only the energy use in a home but also in upstream activities such as refi ning of the energy source) with a
Overcoming impossible toilet installation
Some installers embrace finding solutions to seemingly impossible situations. Lee Hammond is one such installer. His customer in Wigan was looking to create a downstairs cloakroom in a hallway cupboard adjacent to the stairs. Step forward Lee, with his problem-solving skills and he soon realised that all he was needed was a Saniflo. A macerator pump would be able to pump the waste up into the ceiling above, along the kitchen ceiling and into the central internal
soil stack. Whilst plumbing in the small-bore pipework to take the waste away from the WC, Lee plumbed pipes for hot and cold water to go back the other away, along with heating pipes to plumb in a towel rail. It was agreed that the perfect unit for the converted space was a Sanicompact.
020 8842 0033
saniflo.co.uk
simpler Delivered Energy Metric which looks solely at end use in the home. This would allow easy comparison of the designed and actual energy performance.
LASTING SOLUTION
The FHS is a key step in the country’s journey to net zero emissions. By targeting a fabric specifi cation that is more ambitious than the current proposals but still reasonable and practical to achieve, we can help to ensure that new homes do not place unnecessary strain on the national grid, that they are affordable to heat and that they do not need fabric retrofi ts in the future. This should ultimately help to minimise future regulatory upheaval on energy performance for housebuilders, supporting specifi cation and long-term planning.
Jonathan Ducker is head of regulatory aff airs at Kingspan Insulation GB
Create a timeless statement in your bathroom
HiB has launched a new collection of contemporary mirrors, featuring ‘Nova’, a range of stunning arched shapes – making it the perfect focal point for a bathroom. Unveiled this spring, Nova mirrors are available in three stylish finishes: black, brushed brass, and the increasingly popular gunmetal. Each finish has been chosen to complement a wide range of bathroom styles. The sleek
black offers a classic look, brushed brass brings a touch of luxury, and the gunmetal finish is perfect for those looking to add a contemporary edge. The product also comes in two sizes, H80 x W50 cm and H90 x W60 cm. Users can enjoy the convenience of touch-free operation, and customise the ambiance with colour temperature changing LED illumination.
020 8441 0352
www.hib.co.uk/products/nova-led-mirror-black BD08_Saniflo_Interiors -
Bathrooms_PR.indd 1
BAL launches new Grout-Effect Sealant – for seamless perfection 07/08/2024 08:52
HBD08_HiB_Interiors -
Bathrooms_PR.indd 1
07/08/2024 08:48
BAL have launched a new innovative “Grout-Effect Sealant” for seamless transitions. BAL Micromax Grout-Effect Sealant is formulated with a unique technology which provides a textured, matt-finish that blends perfectly with your grout – no more shiny, stand-out high gloss sealant! Colour-matched to BAL Micromax3 ECO Grouts, it provides a uniform finish in colour AND texture, across all joints; whether they are grouted tile joints, sealed perimeter joints, movement joints or internal corners. BAL Micromax Grout-Effect Sealant is waterproof with excellent adhesion and is perfect for sealing between tiles and other materials including sanitary, acrylic, fibreglass, glass, glazed tiles, porcelain and painted surfaces in dry and wet interior and exterior environments. It can even be used in high-traffic areas and is also perfect for external tiling installations for example when sealing between 20 cm porcelain tiles and drain grates. BAL Grout-Effect Sealant is also formulated with long-lasting Microban® antimicrobial protection against black mould – which provides market-leading protection for hygiene areas when subject to the usual cleaning regimes. BAL Micromax Grout-Effect Sealant will be available from BAL stockists, with a total of 25 contrasting or complementary colour tones, providing a seamless colour-matched grout and sealant solution for every tile colour or type.
01782 591100
www.bal-adhesives.com/products/bal-micromax-grout-effect-sealant
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK HBD08_BAL_DPR.indd 1 09/08/2024 08:35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
