Effective passive fire protection

Playing a fundamental role in the long-term safety of their properties and their occupiers, building managers have a clear responsibility to ensure effective passive fire protection methods are in place, as Graham Laws of Siderise Insulation explains. Just over a... View Article

Connected housing

James Gray of Videx Security explores the role that the internet of things (IoT) plays in social housing access control and door entry. The Internet of Things (IoT) has moved on from a new phenomenon to an everyday technology with... View Article

Bridging the funding gap for social housing retrofits

The social housing sector is faced with a retrofit funding deficit of over £90bn, and so far, government grants and private sector investments are falling short. Tim Meanock of Tallarna explains how an ecosystem approach overcomes this challenge to deliver... View Article

Achieving 
quantity and quality

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management & Maintenance magazine, asks: has good design been squeezed out by our efforts to increase housing supply? “Too many housing estates are designed for nowhere in particular. They can be... View Article

Delivering emissions reductions

Marc Nickels of Kingspan Technical Insulation discusses how one substantial source of embodied emissions – building services haulage and deliveries – can be reduced on residential developments. The UK Green Building Council anticipates that by 2035, embodied carbon emissions may... View Article

Installing floorcoverings over calcium sulphate screeds

Calcium sulphate screeds have become an increasingly common choice of subfloor, especially where underfloor heating is incorporated within the subfloor. This is because of the speed with which they can be applied over large areas and other advantages over concrete... View Article

Did the queen’s speech deliver?

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), discusses his views on the recent Queen’s Speech, and how it compared with industry expectations. My previous two columns have touched on my hopes for a reformed planning process to... View Article

Estate of independence

Before newly-independent housing association Salix Homes got involved, other contenders had been put off by the scale of demolition needed at a major estate renovation in Salford. Terry McBride of Salix explains to Jack Wooler how they achieved vital community... View Article

Bringing glass back 
into balconies

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Andy Lake of Pyroguard explores how glass can be used safely in balcony applications, as well as the various factors for housebuilders and developers to consider to ensure the right solution is specified. It’s no secret that... View Article

Bringing a sense of community

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Plaza Collection is a ‘community’ of over 700 units being created in Mill Hill, London, with its focal point a new landscaped plaza alongside extensive commercial space. Terence Luo, director at developer Poly UK, talks to Jack... View Article

A holistic approach to heating efficiency

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Ashley Cooper of WMS explains why underfloor heating is in the spotlight following new requirements in the Building Regulations, and how the housebuilders can benefit from taking a holistic approach to system design. Following enforcement of the... View Article

Tracing the golden thread in balcony design

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Nick Haughton of Sapphire Balconies discusses how the ‘golden thread’ concept can improve data in projects to benefit the design and delivery of balconies for multi-occupancy apartment buildings.  The ‘golden thread’ is a term used for an... View Article

Timesaving solutions for flooring installations

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Flooring installations in social housing settings often face pressure to be completed as quickly as possible. Fortunately, certain processes and combinations of innovative new products can dramatically cut the time this takes. Neil Sanders from F. Ball... View Article

Housing returns to Manchester this June

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Housing, the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference – and what is said to be Europe’s largest housing festival – returns to its usual timeline and will take place 28-30 June at Manchester Central. In 2022, there... View Article

Raising the roof for social housing retrofits

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Stuart Nicholson of Marley discusses some of the ways a full roof system, incorporating solar PV, can have a positive impact on rising energy prices. The social housing whitepaper outlined the Government’s commitment to review the Decent... View Article

The devil is in the detail

Richard Richardson-Derry of GEZE UK looks at how a properly fitted fire door with the appropriate components can give occupants vital time to escape in the event of a fire Despite what most people believe, toxic smoke is the cause... View Article

Water neutrality can’t be an afterthought

Adam Dean from SDS raises the challenging question of reducing our water footprint and dives into the concept of water neutrality Are you familiar with the concept of water neutrality? The chances are, like most people, the term ‘carbon neutral’... View Article

Moisture management

Unmanaged excess subfloor moisture is the leading cause of floor failure and frequently results in delays to projects, major inconvenience and expense when remedial work is required. Stephen Boulton at F. Ball and Co provides crucial advice to guard against... View Article