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BSEE
FOCUS: DOMESTIC & RESIDENTIAL LIVING
Designing Healthy Multiple Occupancy Buildings of the Future
Sustainability is at the forefront of most conversations in the building services industry as the journey to net zero carbon emissions continues. However, more than ever the expectation for occupant wellbeing to be prioritised across multiresidential and mixeduse buildings is being felt by M&E contractors and consultants.
o meet these two requirements, Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions, explores how the concept of ‘designing healthy’ will help building services engineers select suitable solutions to deliver futureproof buildings.
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As we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, sustainability has once again taken centre stage in the construction industry. Though disruptions to project progress and budgets have been felt across the board, this hasn’t dampened the pressure on building services professionals to prioritise sustainability when designing buildings. Also accelerated by Covid-19 has been the trend towards emphasising occupant wellbeing in buildings, with health and air quality being major concerns. The consequences of these priorities are being felt on projects across the UK, and especially by professionals working on building services like utilities like heating and plumbing.
Delivering on sustainability
Being aware of such pressures, and how they could impact the heating and plumbing solutions they provide, is a crucial consideration for building services engineer looking to deliver sustainable buildings. However, progress is already being made by the sector to face such challenges, as shown in REHAU’s recent independent survey of 520 M&E consultants and architects across numerous sectors.
For residential high-rise buildings, the research showed a priority for sustainable buildings, with 97% of respondents working in multi- residential construction saying leaving high-quality buildings for the next generation was a medium-to- high priority. However, this finding contradicted the 44% who stated that wellbeing is being ‘value- engineered’ out of a building’s design later down the line. Considering that 80% of those surveyed are involved in M&E solutions design, such statistics can be worrying for building services engineers.
However concerning this may be for the industry, this research also shows avenues for progress. Specifically, 95% of respondents said acoustics were important when specifying building solutions, and 91% declaring risk to human health was a concern when specifying drinking water fittings. These findings, combined with the need for eco- friendly building design, and the increasingly intense spotlight on fire safety, demonstrates definite demand for innovative plumbing and heating solutions.
Regulation changes
Adding to pressure on building services engineers and contractors, changing regulations are
emphasising the dual considerations further. Sustainable development, fire safety and occupant health are all centre stage in the latest changes and consultations being taken by the Government.
Aspects like the latest SAP consultation addressing the carbon factors for electricity, and Part L of the Government’s Building Regulations, which covers low- carbon heating systems in new dwellings have been putting the pressure on sustainable
34 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JULY 2021
development. Particularly for new build residential buildings, reducing carbon emissions from heating systems is being accelerated by the Future Homes Standard, a key piece of legislation making low-carbon heat sources mandatory in new homes by 2025.
The Future Homes Standard has also incurred consultation of Part F of the Building Regulations, which concerns ventilation. Because new buildings are often sealed to reduce energy waste and boost efficiency, maintaining good air quality through suitable ventilation must be considered at the same time. In a multi-residential building with hundreds of occupants, maintaining good air quality to keep occupants healthy cannot be compromised in the effort to be more energy efficient.
At the same time, Part B of the Building Regulations, concerning fire safety, is likely to be affected by the establishment of a national regulator following the Grenfell Inquiry. This means that all solutions must prevent the passage of fire between residences through building services, something that can be incredibly dangerous in high-rise developments.
Sound and heat Clearly, building services
professionals have a lot to consider when specifying solutions for new build residential developments. In addition to the above, the REHAU survey found 60% felt good acoustic performance had become an increasing priority over the last five years, demonstrating a growing prioritisation of occupant comfort, health and well-being. Those working in residential developments were also of the belief that the standard level for building acoustics will be 20-24dB within the next five
years – noticeably lower than the target test level.
To combat this, selecting future- facing acoustic systems will become a key for building services engineers. Suitable futureproofing can also be achieved by making the link between acoustic performance and fire safety when choosing a soil and waste system. Covered in separate parts of the Building Regulations – Parts B and E respectively – it is easy to see why the link between the two can be missed. Yet prioritising both at the same time can help keep buildings adherent and fit for purpose.
Insulated pipes with the correct fire prevention measures, for instance, will not just lower noise levels for occupants but also inhibit the passage of fire through pipework between residences. This approach, embodied in REHAU’s RAUPIANO solution, represents a cost-effective way to demonstrate compliance with regulations, while reducing further acoustic issues once a building is fully occupied. As restrictions continue to lift and demand for fit for purpose comfortable housing continues to rise, the UK is progressing into a residential construction boom. However, the rising pressure on building services professionals to promote healthy and sustainable design, along with an increasingly strict regulatory landscape, present new challenges to be aware of when delivering new high rise residential projects. Because of this, building services engineers should look to support the ‘healthy by design’ principle over value- engineering, especially if they are to futureproof installations.
To read the latest guide in REHAU’s ‘Designing Healthy’ series, Designing Healthy Apartments, visit the website.
www.rehau.uk/ designinghealthy
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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