Proposals would deliver a quarter of a million sq ft of industrial development Network Space has submitted a planning application to Rotherham Borough Council for a £24million industrial development at Vector 31 at Waleswood, close to Junction 31 of the M1. The outline planning submission sets out proposals for up
Euramax provides sustainable solution to modular manufacturer Three million new homes must be built in England over the next 20 years to solve its housing crisis, a report by housing charity Shelter says. Companies manufacturing new-builds in factories possess the ability to speed up the delivery of high-quality, sustainable new
The University of Hull has achieved the first ever Gold SKA Rating in the region for the fit-out of its academic hub in the new Energy and Environment Institute. Achieving the highest rating in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) environmental assessment scheme, the hub boasts 84% of the
Heat delivered by heat networks will require a ten-fold increase in volume if the sector is to fulfil its potential in contributing to the UK’s net zero commitment by 2050. Development of this scale cannot be afforded purely from public funding and up to £22bn of private capital will be
As the heating industry moves towards a more sustainable future, there is pressure for developers and specifiers in the new build sector to deliver future-proof and highly energy efficient housing. Tom Murray, Specification Director Commercial and Residential at Baxi Heating, discusses the SAP energy boosters currently available and how specifiers
Metso Outotec is proceeding with its program to consolidate its warehouse locations and transportation processes for spare and wear parts and related services globally. An efficient and optimized network will increase availability, improve customer service and decrease CO2 emissions. The optimization of logistics is included in the company’s EUR 120
Relayr and learnd have joined forces to provide businesses across the UK with an innovative new concept that transforms the way systems within a building are managed and maintained. Learnd, which launched its ‘Building Performance as a Service’ offering in early 2020, will integrate relayr’s capability with its own extensive
Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has been crowned Housebuilder of the Year for the second year running in the national Housebuilder Awards 2020 – the highest endorsement of the firm’s commitment to “Building Brilliance”. Having been awarded the title in 2019, the Cavanna Homes team were thrilled to be shortlisted again
Airthings, a global leader in indoor air quality solutions for consumers, businesses, and professionals announced a new feature for its business solution: CO₂ Alert. The new capability will help schools and offices to keep their indoor air quality in check by warning them when Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) exceeds the recommended
Torbay-based family homebuilder Cavanna Homes, named Housebuilder of the Year for the second year running in the industry’s prestigious national awards ceremony in December, has announced a third new homes scheme to the East of Exeter. Equinox 3 will be built alongside the existing Equinox 1 scheme close to the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Proposals would deliver a quarter of a million sq ft of industrial development Network Space has submitted a planning application to Rotherham Borough Council for a £24million industrial development at Vector 31 at Waleswood, close to Junction 31 of the M1. The outline planning submission sets out proposals for up to 254,000 sq ft of E, B2 and B8 employment space on an 8.8 hectare site. Indicative plans submitted with the application show between seven and nine self-contained, detached units ranging from 12,500 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft, with design and build opportunities also available. The development could create in excess of 500 jobs once completed. Simon Eaton, Development Manager at Network Space, explains: “Vector 31 West can provide a wide range of industrial accommodation which will appeal to smaller workspace occupiers through to distribution centre requirements. Given the strong location and market demand, we intend to commence with a first phase of speculative units as soon as possible, whilst maintaining our ability to deliver larger units on a design and build basis. “The success of our earlier development at Vector 31 demonstrates that this is one of the Yorkshire region’s most sought after locations, offering a strategic central distribution route close to the M1 as well as easy access to Rotherham and Sheffield. The development will therefore serve to meet regional market requirements as well as national occupier needs.” Rebecca Schofield, Partner at Knight Frank, added: “We are continuing to see strong interest for industrial and warehouse space across the South Yorkshire region, the quality of accommodation which Network Space will offer to the market will no doubt prove popular to satisfy demand.’’ Network Space has a long history with this former colliery site having delivered more than 160,000 sq ft of industrial space across two phases at the adjacent Vector 31 development. The first phase was fully occupied within a year of completion in 2008 and is currently occupied by a range of national and international businesses, including parcel delivery giant Hermes. The Vector 31 Networkcentre was sold in 2018 in a £91million deal to InfraRed Capital Partners Limited as part of a 1 million sq ft portfolio of 25 industrial sites and two development sites. Architects for the scheme is Harris Partnership. Knight Frank is appointed as agent and NSM will provide asset management services.
Euramax provides sustainable solution to modular manufacturer Three million new homes must be built in England over the next 20 years to solve its housing crisis, a report by housing charity Shelter says. Companies manufacturing new-builds in factories possess the ability to speed up the delivery of high-quality, sustainable new housing across the UK. ilke Homes, who creates up to 2,000 new factory-built homes a year, turned to leading window and door manufacturer Euramax to provide energy-efficient windows and doors for its housing schemes. Modular construction is the method of manufacturing parts of a building, also known as modules, offsite in a controlled, factory environment. The modules are then transported to the construction site where they are assembled to form the final build. Based in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, ilke Homes manufactures up to 2,000 modular homes every year for local authorities, housing associations, developers and private investors. Since 2017, the company has won multiple awards for its design and manufacturing technologies and can produce a home in just fifteen days, with four modules coming off the production line each day. ilke Homes’ goal is to deliver beautiful, precision-engineered homes with minimal environmental impact. The manufacturer has developed its own unique production process, which cuts waste by 90 per cent and saves residents up to 50 per cent in energy, with homes costing just £1-a-day to heat. To increase output while maintaining its energy-efficient status, ilke Homes needed to collaborate with like-minded suppliers. When searching for a windows and doors supplier that could deliver quality while improving the energy efficiency of its homes, it turned to Euramax. Modular benefits Modular methods of construction (MMC) offer many benefits when compared to traditional building methods. Modular builds can be completed up to 50 per cent faster, are 30 per cent cheaper to build, and produce 90 per cent less waste. The factory-controlled production environment eliminates factors that can often impede construction projects, such as disruption from weather conditions. Control also improves quality, and ilke Homes’ modules undergo stringent quality checks at various stages along the production line to ensure the completed components reach their assembly site without defects. To produce its homes to the highest quality and without delays, ilke Homes needed to work with a reliable window and door manufacturer that could seamlessly integrate into the production line. “We needed a partner that could understand our manufacturing processes and had the capacity to meet our production demands,” said Rachel Kaye, procurement manager at ilke Homes. “We were eager to source a local supplier to help keep our carbon footprint low. That’s when we discovered Euramax, which already supplied its windows and doors to offsite construction projects.” Tailor made In addition to delivering zero carbon homes, ilke Homes’ modular builds are fully customisable — right down to each fixture and fitting. “Euramax supplies unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVCu) windows and patio doors to seven of the nine house models we manufacture,” said Kaye. “While the window profiles are all similar, the final product we install always depends on customer requirements and house type. For instance, some of our schemes need acoustic or light reflecting glazing, whereas others require bespoke coloured window frames. “We pride ourselves on creating modern homes that merge effortlessly into local communities, so the windows and doors we install need to reflect this. As part of our ongoing partnership, Euramax supplies us with stylish products in classic white and Anthracite grey. They even sourced a specific grey frame colour for us, called Moondust.” The windows and doors do not only need to look good; they must also meet stringent safety and quality measures. “In our first year of working with ilke Homes, Euramax has supplied windows and doors for twelve of its housing schemes — each with different requirements,” said Richard Banks, commercial director at Euramax. “Safety is a critical factor, and our technical team works to meet the safety requirements for modular homes, which include ensuring each habitable room has a fire escape. We also make certain that all window sizes and apertures, whether a top hung or drop window, remain the same.” Euramax products are certified by the official national police security initiative, Secured by Design (SBD). The initiative tests and certifies products to a set of security, design and manufacturing standards to make sure the windows and doors installed into ilke Homes’ builds are safe and secure. Time to deliver In addition to supplying safe, customisable and quality products, Euramax also ensures its delivery process reflects ilke Homes’ requirements for quality control and carbon reduction. “Euramax delivers all its products in stillages, which has numerous advantages for ilke Homes,” explained Kaye. “Firstly, the stillages protect the products during transportation, minimising the risk of damage. The stillages also eliminate unnecessary plastic waste, reducing our environmental impact.” As the deliveries come in one large order, transportation can be kept to a minimum — further reducing the carbon footprint of the production process. Maintaining a low carbon footprint isn’t only important for ilke Homes, it’s also a priority for those that will be living in the finished homes, and for the wider construction industry. Currently, the construction industry is responsible for 40 percent of the UK’s total carbon emissions, according to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). Furthermore, the Committee on Climate Change estimates that home heating systems are responsible for 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK — a problem that has been created due to poorly-designed windows and doors that allow heat to escape. Euramax manufactures double glazed windows and doors that are rated ‘A’ for high energy efficiency by The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC). The BFRC rates the efficiency of fenestration products on a scale of A to G, with A identified as the most energy efficient. “Installing certified energy efficient products is vital for ilke Homes as it allows us to produce homes that contribute to the reduction of emissions the built environment produces,” added Kaye. “While modular construction has a lower
The University of Hull has achieved the first ever Gold SKA Rating in the region for the fit-out of its academic hub in the new Energy and Environment Institute. Achieving the highest rating in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) environmental assessment scheme, the hub boasts 84% of the 86 strong criteria set up as part of the SKA assessment – making it officially one of the greenest educational hubs in the UK. The SKA rating is an environmental assessment scheme that measures fit-out projects against a set of sustainability ‘good practice’ criteria. ‘Good practice’ measures cover everything from responsible sourcing of materials, reducing waste and diverting materials from landfill, to CO2 emissions, lighting design, energy efficient hand dryers and biodiversity. The announcement also marks the first SKA Rating for Chameleon Business Interiors, which designed the hub and completed the fit-out. The project was managed by Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK). The RLB team also provided building surveying and sustainability services, as well as acting as SKA assessor; this latest project is the 12th SKA Gold rating RLB has helped clients achieve. Shaun Watts, Chairman of Chameleon Business Interiors, commented: “We are delighted with the Gold SKA Rating achieved for the new Energy and Environment Institute. At Chameleon, we work with sustainability front of mind on every project. It was particularly important during this project, given the nature of the hub, to showcase the building as a leader in global environmental resilience and energy sustainability. “Day-to-day, we paid careful consideration to of all the materials used and constant monitoring of onsite activities from an environmental and sustainability perspective. It was a pleasure to be part of a larger team, all of whom were dedicated to delivering a world-class, planet-friendly project.” Amongst the environmental design elements in the project, 80% of carpet and soft floor finishes were reused/recycled, 50% of vinyl finishes were recycled through a closed-loop scheme, and 80% of the timber flooring was reused – with the remaining percentage diverted from landfill. Paul Batchelor, Partner at RLB, said: “Delivering the SKA Gold Rated academic hub for the pioneering Energy and Environment Institute at the University of Hull was a fantastic project for the team at RLB to lead. Sustainability was at the very core of this project and the collaboration of the entire team was key to its success, achieving the first SKA Gold in the region is a brilliant credit to everyone involved.” Professor Dan Parsons, Director at the Energy and Environment Institute, added: “When we secured funding to bring our multi-disciplinary team of experts under one roof on the University campus, we wanted to create a space which was both modern and stylish, but which also showcased excellence in sustainability. “It’s only right that an Institution centred on tackling the global climate crisis be based in a building which is environmentally fit for purpose. “With the support of our Estates team at the University and the contractors Chameleon Business Interiors – who deserve an enormous amount of credit for this project – we have created a space which truly practices what it preaches. “This SKA Gold award is recognition of the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the refurbishment.” The Energy and Environment Institute at the University of Hull brings together the skills and capabilities of leading researchers to tackle global challenges related to climate change and a low carbon transition, and their consequences for society and livelihoods. Now home to over 100 staff and PhD researchers, the Institute is leading research in some of the areas of the world most at-risk from climate change, including flood prone areas such as Vietnam’s Mekong and Red River deltas, the Congo River in Africa, as well as locations much closer to home. For more information on Hull University’s Energy and Environment Institute visit: www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/research/institutes/energy-and-environment-institute
Heat delivered by heat networks will require a ten-fold increase in volume if the sector is to fulfil its potential in contributing to the UK’s net zero commitment by 2050. Development of this scale cannot be afforded purely from public funding and up to £22bn of private capital will be needed to if this target is to be achieved. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management – their delivery partner for the £320m Heat Network Investment Project (HNIP) – has announced a new Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for heat networks today. The BEIS Heat Investment Vehicle (BHIVE) will allow Public Bodies, including NHS Bodies and Local Authorities, to access funds and funding-related services for heat network projects from a portfolio of potential funders. BHIVE is open to all Public Bodies looking to finance a heat network including, financing the expansion of a new or existing network or facilitating the sale of part, or all, of an investment in a mature heat network. The role of private capital in unlocking the potential of heat networks To meet the UK’s legally binding commitment to net zero by 2050 in the most cost-effective manner, heat networks will need to provide 17-24% of the UK’s heat (currently just 2%)[1]. Achieving this objective requires the development of a self-sustaining market with a sufficient volume of strategic, low carbon heat networks which are economically attractive without direct Government subsidy. Development at this scale cannot be afforded by public funds alone. The Institute for Public Policy Research has estimated that up to £22 billion of private investment capital needs to be levered in if the sector is to fulfil its potential[2]. At the same time, institutional investors are seeking high class infrastructure assets with good quality counterparties and predictable long-term revenues underpinned by strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. Prior to BHIVE’s launch, investors and investees had come together too infrequently and only on an ad-hoc basis. Funding Providers can apply to join BHIVE at any time by expressing their interest in funding heat networks; demonstrating their access to funds and their capability to deliver the associated services to execute funding. Finance options available will include equity finance and asset finance. HNIP was launched in 2019 to kick-start the market and has to date awarded £125 million to successful schemes across England and Wales. BHIVE will further support the work that has already been achieved by HNIP in ensuring a sustainable market which is not only economically attractive to investors but supports job creation and environmental benefits. Richard Turner, Amberside Advisors, part of Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management said: “BHIVE has the potential to deliver significant benefits to the heat networks market, which is essential to meeting the net zero emissions target while sustaining green jobs and delivering economic benefits. It will make for a more efficient and effective fundraising process from the perspective of Funding Providers looking for funding good quality opportunities in a high-growth sector, and Public Bodies looking for value for money.” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy https://www.ippr.org/files/publications/pdf/piping- hot_summary_Mar2017.pdf
As the heating industry moves towards a more sustainable future, there is pressure for developers and specifiers in the new build sector to deliver future-proof and highly energy efficient housing. Tom Murray, Specification Director Commercial and Residential at Baxi Heating, discusses the SAP energy boosters currently available and how specifiers and developers can use them to contribute to the overall efficiency of heating and hot water systems. Linked to the Building Regulations Approved Document L consultation in 2019, the tenth version of the supporting Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP 10.2) is now on the horizon. What we know so far is that proposed changes to Building Regulations look set to mandate tighter targets for new dwelling emissions. Once the imminent Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) consultation response is released and the implementation date for changes is confirmed, there will be more onus on new build developers to drive low carbon development. Further recent developments revealed in the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan include possible changes to when the Future Homes Standard will be enacted. According to the plan this policy, which seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of new build homes by mandating low carbon heating in all new build houses, may be enacted in 2023, sooner than the 2025 deadline originally intended. The 2023 date was subsequently removed from official supporting documents, although it is expected that the ambition is still to bring this forward, subject to further industry consultation. What this all points to is that specifiers and developers will need to be reliant on electricity-powered heating and hot water system technologies like cylinders and heat pumps. However, while gas boilers are still being specified for new-builds prior to the Future Homes Standard, extra measures and design considerations will need to be made to ensure compliance with emissions targets.. SAP Boosting Measures The good news is that there are a number of energy efficiency boosting additions that can be specified to improve the SAP rating of a dwelling including a gas boiler, such as weather compensation, load compensation, smart controls, and heat recovery systems. These systems are often combined to deliver the best results and some even deliver 2-in-1 benefits, like smart controls which often include features such as load compensation functionality along with time and temperature control. These devices measure the gap between what the internal temperature is and what the user wants it to be and modulates the boiler so that it only uses as much fuel as necessary to close the gap. Weather compensation devices, monitor outdoor conditions and tell the boiler when to adjust its flow temperature. This leads to fuel savings and a more consistent environment. When paired with smart controls, weather compensation is a cost-effective way to raise energy efficiency and lower emissions. Flue Gas Heat Recovery (FGHR) recycles the heat from the flue gases which would normally be expelled into the atmosphere. The recovered heat is then used to pre-heat water coming into the boiler from the cold mains supply, significantly reducing the amount of gas required by the boiler to heat the water. Likewise, Shower Heat Recovery Units (SHRU) save energy by recycling residual heat from waste shower and bath water via a heat exchanger. When working to peak efficiency, it can recover up to 63% of heat that would otherwise be lost. SHRUs can boost SAP ratings by 5-6%. Getting it right Getting building services system design right and knowing how best use to these technologies in the wider context of the building is a science. It involves careful selection of components in order to meet both customer needs as well as emissions considerations. This among other factors such as how the fabric, area and volume of the building will impact heat loss and the overall performance. In order to better support the new-build residential sector to meet the SAP challenge, Baxi Assure offers developers and specifiers a quality range of boilers, cylinders, air source heat pumps and energy booster accessories as part of a complete home service. This includes a fully indemnified Design Service with qualified SAP assessors who can advise on the most cost-effective and efficient hot water and heating solution for new build properties. Knowing the landscape While the future of the heating industry is set to change vastly in the coming years, it remains important to consider the challenges facing professionals now. Demand for new housing will continue to rise, and with it the requirement for efficient, low-carbon heating. As the regulatory landscape continues to adapt, so too will specifiers and developers in the new build space. The housing industry must work together on this journey to net-zero. This is where Baxi Assure is well-positioned to provide a full spectrum of low-carbon heating technologies, design, specification and SAP assessment support, together with useful system add-ons to boost efficiencies such as FGHR and smart, easy-to-use comfort controls. This period of change in the new build housing sector will be challenging, but is necessary to tackle climate change and meet the UK’s net-zero ambitions. Being prepared by keeping up with legislation and taking advantage of the products and services designed to support this transition is the best way for developers and specifiers to succeed. To find more information about the Baxi Assure services and SAP energy booster accessories please visit www.baxi.co.uk/assure and follow Baxi Assure on social media linkedin/baxiassure
Metso Outotec is proceeding with its program to consolidate its warehouse locations and transportation processes for spare and wear parts and related services globally. An efficient and optimized network will increase availability, improve customer service and decrease CO2 emissions. The optimization of logistics is included in the company’s EUR 120 million cost synergy target, it accounts for more than EUR 20 million. The combined Metso Outotec network has covered more than 40 distribution centers. Once the network is optimized, the company will have 18 warehouses or distribution centers located in all main customer markets. The new operating model is utilizing strong partners who have recognized global capabilities in providing competitive warehouse services. Major warehouse opened in Phoenix, Arizona Consolidation work in Asia, Africa, China and Europe will be concluded in the near future. Metso Outotec already announced that warehouse operations in Finland will be consolidated and outsourced, and a new warehouse will be established to Helsinki. Simultaneously, the current spare and wear parts warehouse in Tampere will be closed. The new model will be fully implemented by the end of the first half in 2021.“Our target is to enable world-class logistics with easily scalable operations. Flexible, state-of-the-art warehouse operations will allow orders to be collected and dispatched to customers directly from central warehouses. The new model enables considerable savings in the end-to-end freight costs, streamlines transportation, and significantly reduces CO2 emissions,” says Jarkko Aro, Senior Vice President of Customer Logistics at Metso Outotec. The new center in Phoenix, Arizona, represents one of the Metso Outotec’s largest warehouse operations globally. CO2 emissions down by 7% in 2020, with 20% reduction target by 2025 “By the end of the third quarter of 2020, we already achieved a 7% reduction of CO2 emissions in our logistics compared to 2019. We are extremely happy to be at the forefront with our CO2 reduction targets,” says Jarkko Aro. Metso Outotec has announced that it is targeting a net positive impact on the planet with a commitment to the 1.5 °C journey. This will be implemented through sustainable offering, innovations and actions, and be measured by Science Based Targets aiming at a 50% reduction of emissions in own operations by 2030 compared to 2019, and a 20% reduction of logistics emissions by 2025.
Relayr and learnd have joined forces to provide businesses across the UK with an innovative new concept that transforms the way systems within a building are managed and maintained. Learnd, which launched its ‘Building Performance as a Service’ offering in early 2020, will integrate relayr’s capability with its own extensive domain expertise to create better buildings for customers – and it’s a pledge which is backed up by powerful insurance partner HSB. For example, through partnership with relayr and HSB, learnd will be able to guarantee retail customers that their stores are offering maximum shopper comfort or guarantee a hospital that the conditions on its wards are optimised for patient care. “At HSB, we’re excited to be part of bringing this level of assurance, guaranteeing peak performance, to commercial property owners and occupants,” says John B. Riggs, Senior Vice President of HSB Applied Technology Solutions. Learnd’s Building Performance as a Service offering is suitable for any sector that operates commercial premises including critical infrastructure, healthcare, retail, education, government and business offices. relayr’s expertise in the digitisation of assets will provide the support for learnd’s capabilities by adding data processing and data analytics, combined with business enablement. CEO and learnd co-founder, John Clifford, explains: “Our partnership brings together the best IoT solutions from relayr, insurance products from HSB and our market-leading subject matter expertise within buildings, to achieve something that has never been done before. “Learnd’s customers will have absolute certainty that their buildings will perform as they need them to, whilst actually spending less over the long term. The guaranteed outcomes approach means organisations can focus on their core activities – whether that’s teaching children or healing people, 100% confident that learnd will make their buildings better.” Josef Brunner, relayr CEO, adds: “This partnership between relayr and learnd is a visionary yet highly practical move, combining relayr’s digitisation skills and learnd’s experience in industry. It allows learnd to deliver their innovative ‘Building Performance as a Service’ offering – driving a step change in the buildings industry that is long-overdue.” Relayr’s manufacturing customers are already using relayr’s solutions to build pay per use business models, now more businesses and more industries can follow in their footsteps. For more information visit: www.relayr.io and www.learnd.co.uk
Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has been crowned Housebuilder of the Year for the second year running in the national Housebuilder Awards 2020 – the highest endorsement of the firm’s commitment to “Building Brilliance”. Having been awarded the title in 2019, the Cavanna Homes team were thrilled to be shortlisted again this year, and to be the only South West company in the finals of the 0-300 units per year category. In addition to the national title, Cavanna Homes’ Kings Orchard development in the creek-side Devon village of Stoke Gabriel, near Totnes, was highly commended for ‘Best Design for Three Storeys or Fewer’, with its Alfred’s Gate development in East Devon village of Newton Poppleford, near Sidmouth also shortlisted in this category. Michael Newman, Head of Land and Design at Torquay-based Cavanna Homes, said: “This unprecedented year has been challenging for not only us as a firm, but the construction industry as a whole, so we’re absolutely thrilled to be named Housebuilder of the Year for the second year running in these highly prestigious industry awards! It’s a fantastic achievement to have our hard work and dedication recognised on a national level by the expert judges and is testament to our team’s commitment and passion for building well-designed, high-quality homes.” The Housebuilder Awards recognise innovation and excellence in the housebuilding industry and are run in partnership with the National House Building Council (NHBC) and the Home Builders Federations (HBF), which also awarded Cavanna Homes the maximum five-star accreditation after the firm received a 100 percent recommendation from homeowners earlier this year. This year’s awards ceremony was an online event hosted by Housebuilder Media’s Publishing Director, Ben Roskrow and HBF’s Executive Chairman, Stewart Baseley.
Airthings, a global leader in indoor air quality solutions for consumers, businesses, and professionals announced a new feature for its business solution: CO₂ Alert. The new capability will help schools and offices to keep their indoor air quality in check by warning them when Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) exceeds the recommended levels. High CO₂ levels can increase the risk of airborne viruses spreading between people and impact cognitive abilities. By letting users know when a room needs a breather, they can make quick changes, such as opening a window or door, to improve the air quality. CO₂ Alert will start rolling out from today to new and existing Airthings for Business customers at no additional cost. In the midst of the current pandemic, effective ventilation has become an important strategy for reducing the spread of COVID-19 inside offices and schools. When we breathe out, our bodies expel CO₂, and the levels can rise quickly in enclosed spaces. This can significantly increase the risk of airborne virus transmission. Measuring CO₂ levels serves as a good indicator of indoor air quality and ventilation, and as a result, carbon dioxide regulations are becoming more common in offices and schools across Europe. “Schools and offices are under immense pressure to ensure their buildings protect the health and wellness of their occupants,” says Oyvind Birkenes, CEO at Airthings. “The Airthings for Business solution not only measures CO₂, but also other indoor pollutants and conditions that impact our health, productivity, and wellbeing. With the new CO₂ Alert, we go one step further in empowering our customers to take control of the air they breathe, making it easier to take action when it’s needed.” How it works The new CO₂ Alert feature will be available via the Wave Plus for Business, Airthings’ flagship product, named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Best Inventions.” Users will be able to set up CO₂ thresholds according to their local regulations. When CO₂ exceeds the recommended levels, the light ring will start to blink red, indicating that it is time to bring more fresh air into the room. By waving the hand in front of the device at any time, users will get a colour-coded indication of the CO₂ levels (green means the levels are low, yellow means the levels are rising, and red means an action is required). The impact of poor indoor air quality We spend 90% of our time indoors, where the air is typically 2 to 5 times worse than outdoors. When CO₂ builds up in poorly ventilated spaces, it can cause lower productivity, drowsiness, headaches, loss of concentration, and even poor decision-making. Scientists found that decision-making capabilities decline when levels rise to 1,000 ppm, while 1,400 ppm sees a 50 percent drop in cognitive ability. In addition to CO₂, there are other indoor air pollutants that impact our health and wellbeing, from airborne chemicals to radon, the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Conditions such as humidity and temperature are also important factors to monitor as both are correlated with virus transmission. Today, many schools and offices are located in buildings that have not been optimized for occupant health. While some ventilation systems recycle the air to conserve energy, bringing in fresh air is essential to ensure a healthy indoor environment. Continuous monitoring and familiarization with what’s in the air through technology solutions like Airthings for Business can help schools and offices improve their indoor air quality while optimizing energy consumption. Set up in a matter of minutes, the Airthings for Business solutions is made of wireless monitors and run on long-lasting batteries, making the solution easily scalable and customizable to any new or existing space. Indoor air quality data is easily available via the Airthings Dashboard and users can create reports to ensure they are in compliance to local laws and regulations.
Torbay-based family homebuilder Cavanna Homes, named Housebuilder of the Year for the second year running in the industry’s prestigious national awards ceremony in December, has announced a third new homes scheme to the East of Exeter. Equinox 3 will be built alongside the existing Equinox 1 scheme close to the Exeter Science Park campus, within walking distance of a country park and with public transport links to Exeter city centre. The latest development, located behind the current 79 homes scheme at Equinox 1, will offer a mix of 150 open market homes, with 25% allocated as affordable homes for local people. Cavanna’s Head of Land and Design, Michael Newman said: “We’re thrilled to have acquired 9.3 acres with planning consent to complete a third phase of new homes at Equinox, which is already proving extremely popular with homebuyers. “Equinox 3 will actually be built before Equinox 2 due to the ease of being able to move our development team from the existing site at Equinox 1. We are very much looking forward to delivering more award-winning homes in this excellent location and anticipate a start-on-site in December 2021, with the Marketing Suite opening in June 2022.” Equinox provides easy access by car, bike and bus to supermarkets, a selection of primary, secondary schools and colleges, a doctor’s surgery, sports grounds, and a 15-acre country park for residents. As well as providing outdoor space for residents to walk, run, cycle or play, the Equinox developments will contribute over £1.5 million in community contributions towards supporting and enhancing biodiversity, as well as creating wider cycle paths connecting to Exeter’s cycle network. Equinox 3 will feature a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached homes in a variety of styles to suit a range of buyer’s needs and requirements. In early 2021, Cavanna Homes will also be launching its new development of energy-efficient homes at Cavanna @ Elm Park, situated on the southern outskirts of the city between Alphington and Exminster. Not only has the firm been celebrating acquiring land for Equinox 3, Cavanna Homes has also been crowned Housebuilder of the Year in the national Housebuilder Awards 2020 in the 0-300 units category for the second consecutive year. Earlier this year, the firm was awarded the maximum five-star accreditation by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) after receiving a 100 percent recommendation from homeowners earlier this year.
