INSULATION
Knauf Insulation, agrees that merchants must be ready to advise installers and contractors on the factors that affect compliance. “New homes must produce 31% less carbon emissions (27% for non-domestic properties) achieved through fabric improvements, such as insulation, and low-carbon technologies. It also affects extensions and refurbishments, with the limiting U-values for every building element reduced,” he says.
Neary explains that Part L also introduced the BREL (Building Regulations England Part L) compliance report for new homes. This requires photographic evidence demonstrating continuity of insulation. So, it’s putting installation standards under the spotlight for the first time. “If merchants’ customers work with landlords, it’s worth highlighting that the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) have been updated. New tenancies can only be granted on premises with an E-rated EPC, so this should be considered when planning upgrades,” he says.
However, he adds that, while builders’ merchants will need to advise their customers on which insulation solutions will help them meet the required energy efficiency standards, focusing purely on thermal performance could mean that other important factors are overlooked.
“The new Construction Products Regulator has been set up to ensure building materials are safe and the Building Safety Act, enshrined in law in April 22, places greater accountability across the supply chain. Building regulations in England and Wales already mandate the use of non-combustible materials in the external walls of relevant residential buildings over 18m high.” The ban was extended in December 22 to cover residential buildings between 11m and 18m high. Non-combustible materials must now be used in certain external wall system build-ups such as rainscreen façades and timber frames unless a full-scale fire test to BS 8414-1 or BS 8414-2 has been conducted. Remember no change can be made to products used in systems certified by full-scale tests because it will invalidate the certificate. The definition of relevant residential buildings has also been expanded.
Leary says that some non-dwelling buildings are also affected. “Materials used in the external walls of non-dwelling buildings over 18m, and those buildings that are 11m to 18m and less than 1,000mm from the relevant boundary must now have a reaction to fire classification of B,s3-d2 or above. This does not apply to buildings under 18m tall that are 1,000mm or more from the relevant boundary.”
The implication is clear. Merchants need to
advise their customers to choose products that reduce risk not just in test conditions, but in the real world. Where insulation is concerned, the best way to achieve that is to choose non- combustible solutions such as mineral wool, as standard, whatever the height or use of the building.
The common thread, Leary points out, across all these regulations is that buildings must not only meet the performance required by legislation on paper, they must also deliver it in the real world.
“An important factor in achieving this is ‘buildability’ – essentially, how easy an insulation material is to install correctly. That’s because even the smallest air gaps can reduce thermal, fire safety and acoustic performance. Rigid boards, for example, must be cut to size on site which makes joint alignment difficult and can pivot on minor imperfections in construction. This could lead to difficulties in complying with the required quality standards for the BREL report.”
He adds: “The most important message for merchants is that the legislative requirements and a focus on real performance don’t mean you need a wholesale rethink of your insulation product range. All these requirements can be met with your existing mineral wool insulation solutions meaning your customers can deliver the genuinely efficient, safe, and comfortable buildings required.”
Actis has been ensuring that merchants get to grips with new products and the new legislation via entertaining, informative – and ultimately lucrative – training courses run by the Actis sales team.
The courses include quizzes to ensure attendees keep on their toes, and the practical nature of some of the sessions ensures merchants stay engaged. ‘Learning through doing’ is the best way to get inside the heads of customers who visit the store in search of a solution to a problem.
Over the past few years, merchants of all sizes – national, regional and local brands – have benefitted from informative training sessions offered by the Actis team. The rollcall includes Jewson, IBMG, Parkers, Fairalls, Stamco, Alsford Timber, Travis Perkins and Elliotts.
The end user has to understand the benefits of the products they are choosing. And that’s one area where the Actis training comes in handy for merchants, who get to grips precisely with how the Actis Hybrid range – insulation Hybris and insulating vapour control layers and breather membranes HControl Hybrid and Boost R Hybrid - are going to be a boon to the builders using them.
The training sessions, which also look at the May 2023
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range of scenarios in which the products are used, are tailored to suit the depth into which each branch wants to go. For those interested in the nitty gritty, details of build-ups and the varying levels of U-values achieved through a range of alternatives are available. Not all merchants want such minute detail – but the flexibility of the sessions means branches have options. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Manager at Jewson’s Woking branch, Domi Scrivener, has found the training helpful in aiding his team to advise customers. “The guys in the branch thoroughly enjoyed the face- to-face session. The understanding is much clearer.” he says.
In addition to providing training in branches, the Actis team offers hands-on installation coaching on site. The sales team are always on hand to answer follow up questions - something the merchants find incredibly useful. Special merchant days are also among the offerings, with those wanting very detailed technical content given the chance to join Actis’ four CPD training modules. The training also looks at target markets and tools which can help merchants advise on the most effective combination of products, including the U-value simulator which enables users to play around with different combinations of products in a range of scenarios.
Actis South East and London area sales manager Liane Bayliss says: “The training gives them more confidence to talk to customers about an alternative to rigid board or mineral wool in timber frame structures. I always get good feedback as we have a little quiz at the end to confirm they understand what the products do and where they go in the build. And it definitely helps increase sales. The thing merchants find most useful is knowing they can ring me for help and advice.”
Actis South Central area sales manager Joe Glaze adds: “I have positive feedback from the merchants, as it gives them more confidence to explain the range to the customers and highlight key USPs of the products, they find the sessions give them a broader knowledge of the products and they are reassured knowing they have me on the phone to help too.” BMJ
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