Lifts in housing

Alastair Stannah of Stannah Lift Distribution & Service (UK) answers some of the most frequently asked questions around the emergency use and upgrading of lifts in the housing sector. Today, there are estimated to be more than 50,000 operational lifts... View Article

Turn down the volume

Karen Wilding of Forbo Flooring Systems explains how noise can be minimised in multi-occupancy buildings by retrofitting acoustic flooring solutions. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), excessive noise seriously harms human health and interferes with people’s daily activities. In... View Article

Tackling radon to keep residents safe

Exposure to radon gas is a real health risk. James Kane of Airtech Solutions explains how landlords and housing providers can protect residents. Since the introduction of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, landlords are more aware of... View Article

Water-tight partnerships

James Homard of Urban Environments explores how housing professionals can maximise value from their water hygiene consultancy. Many housing providers and landlords appoint a specialist water hygiene consultancy to manage Legionella control. Particularly for those with extensive portfolios this is... View Article

The smart approach to specifying smoke vents

Tony Stevens of Bilco UK shares the top three considerations they believe housing professionals should focus on when specifying NSHEVs. Natural Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilators (NSHEVs), more commonly known as smoke vents, provide essential ventilation in the event of... View Article

Waterproof wall panels: the modern option

In these turbulent times, waterproof wall panels may offer social housing providers and local authorities a more effective bathroom walling solution, explains Nicola Lewis of Fibo. This past year has been an unusual one for social housing providers and local... View Article

One size does not fit all

John Mellor of Glidevale Protect explains why specification matters in roofing membrane and ventilation products. Specifying pitched roofing underlays for new build or refurbishment projects is often a confusing subject with so many options available on the market, each offering... View Article

Why specify recycled plastic?

Sarah Mitchell of Goplastic explores how and why landlords and social housing providers should utilise recycled plastic in their projects. The world’s annual consumption of plastic materials has increased from around 5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 100... View Article

The advantages of electric heating

Bill Walters of The Electric Heating Company explores how advances in technology and new energy efficiency standards mean there’s never been a better time to invest in electric heating. Electric heating is continually becoming an increasingly viable option for heating... View Article

Remote management: sensible or intrusive?

Terri Hickman of Intergas Boilers discusses the pros and cons of remote management in the Covid-19 era. Working from home, such an alien concept at the start of lockdown, is now a much-loved (or tolerated, depending on your point of... View Article

How to deliver on flat roof refurbishment projects

Clients are constantly trying to make the smartest investment, presenting surveyors with the challenge of delivering predictable project costs and providing precise technical data to enable clients to make the correct decision. Bauder explores how to deliver cost certainty and... View Article

Clarity on composite fire and security doors

Chris Flaherty of Winkhaus UK provides clarity for specifiers following a series of legislation and guidance updates covering the specification of composite fire doors. There is a lot of confusion and frustration among specifiers as to what is required and... View Article

Exercising fire safety with due diligence

BAFE Fire Safety Register discusses the importance of quality fire safety in housing management As we approach the third anniversary of the tragic Grenfell Tower Fire, premises management teams need to fully understand their legal (and ethical) obligations in keeping... View Article

Holistic sustainability for windows or doors

Martin McCrimmon of CMS Window Systems explains why window and door specifications need to take a holistic view on sustainability for wider social and environmental benefits. The performance capabilities of today’s advanced window and door systems – when designed, manufactured... View Article

Showering solutions

Providing the best showering solutions for refurbishments is arguably more complex than ever before, given the range of choice today. Ann Boardman of Saniflo UK explains how shower cubicles can help. Remember the days when being a student generally meant... View Article

Connecting the dots

Rupert Kazlauciunas of Zehnder Group UK discusses how technology such as AI assisted ventilation can tackle some of the housing sector’s chronic issues What connects net zero targets, smart devices, social housing, the UK’s housing crisis and healthy homes? All... View Article

Be proactive about gas safety

Bob Kerr of the Gas Safe Register reminds readers of the legal requirements associated with gas installation and maintenance, and highlights contractor management in the housing sector as vitally important to ensuring registration, competence and monitoring Among the array of... View Article

Reducing costly repeat drainage issues

Chris Nelson of Metro Rod discusses the importance of efficient maintenance of drainage to reduce costly repeat visits Blocked drains are a common issue in housing, and can lead to significant costs for providers and local authorities – as well... View Article