We’re all feeling the squeeze on our finances at the moment. Counting every penny, shopping around for the best deals and cutting back on anything that isn’t considered essential to make our money go further is now the norm for households up and down the country. Giving up days and
Failing to have the proper equipment on a building site might jeopardize the project’s development and success. While specific machinery is required for each work, a few must-have tools are useful in all types of building construction. According to KPMG, more than 50% of construction projects fail due to the
As Interplas 2023, prepares to celebrate 75 years of plastics exhibitions in the UK, the sales and marketing teams at Glazpart are finalising plans and getting ready for the UK’s leading plastics exhibition and conference. Interplas takes place at Birmingham NEC on 26th to 28th September and will feature
The term “light fitting” is usually a broad catchall that includes various light sources. It might refer to an overhead light, a chandelier, etc. Light fitting installation simply means installing one of these light sources, either for your home or a business entity. You might need power point and light
Leading the future of fire safety Date: 17 October 2023 Location: Savoy Place, London and online BOOK NOW Planning for the annual FIRE Conference is well underway for 2023! We look forward to bringing the fire sector together once again to network with peers, share knowledge, and learn about the
The Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) was delighted to support and raise awareness of sprinklers at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Built Environment Conference Series, taking place in Cardiff and Salford in June 2023. Following the theme of Performance, Compliance and Safety, CABE’s Built Environment England and Wales Conferences
Electric vans are the vehicles of the future, especially as businesses become more and more focused on sustainability and efficiency. There is a greater consumer demand and availability of electric models in the UK market and it was recorded that there are now over 810,000 electric cars on the road
A dressing table may not be a bedroom essential, but it can make a lot of difference for both practical and aesthetic reasons. It allows you to keep all your hair and makeup products in one place, easily accessible first thing in the morning. In addition, a dressing table can
Do you discover that more and more people around you are installing lifts at home? This is because the home elevator is a rising trend, and many people are opting for a new lift installation at home globally. Having a home lift was once considered a luxury. However, now there
If your home comes with a septic tank, then you’re obliged to abide by a string of regulations. These regulations protect not only you, but the people around you and the natural world, too. Around half a million homes in the UK are equipped with septic tanks – and if
We’re all feeling the squeeze on our finances at the moment. Counting every penny, shopping around for the best deals and cutting back on anything that isn’t considered essential to make our money go further is now the norm for households up and down the country. Giving up days and meals out, takeaways, even holidays and shopping for budget versions of our favourite household items are just some of the ways people are saving money, however declining to take out a house insurance policy, shouldn’t be one of them. It’s easy to think that home insurance is a luxury we can afford to give up, but in reality, if the worst were to happen and you didn’t have cover in place, you could find yourself in a dire financial situation. In this post, we’ll explore how to keep your home insurance premiums as low as possible and how you can find cheaper home insurance. Shop Around For The Right Price We’re all encouraged to shop around for the right price. Whether it’s the cost of our groceries, car insurance or even pet cover, it’s important you get the right price to begin with, before you start looking for ways to keep your premiums down. If you’re looking for a cheap home insurance quote, you should start your search online. But don’t be pulled into using just any comparison site, you’ll need one that compares multiple providers and has a good Trust Pilot review, this way, you see more of the market and have a better chance of finding the right cover at the right price. Remember, not only are you looking for the right price, but you’ll also need to explore all the small print and deals that are out there, to ensure the right price means you’re getting the right policy! Consider Combining Your Policies Did you know that buildings and contents insurance is usually sold separately? Therefore, it might be worth combining these policies to see if you get the coverage you need for a better price. In addition to a potential saving, if you did need to make a claim for both buildings and contents, then your claim will be handled by the same provider, making it a much simpler, straightforward process. Consider Paying Your Premiums Annually We’re all tightening our belts, but in some cases, if you choose to pay your insurance annually rather than monthly, you can receive a discount – and in this economy, every little helps! Increase Your Home Security If you’ve found the right policy, then it’s now time to look at keeping your premiums as low as possible. One way to do this is to increase the security in and around your home. Whether you’ve just renovated a property or you’re living in a listed building, there are ways to do this, including installing burglar alarms and cameras, installing smoke detectors, using a safe for your valuables and installing outdoor lights. Protect Your Home Against Flooding If you live somewhere that is prone to flooding, then taking the necessary precautions to prevent flooding (to the best of your ability) can also keep your premiums low. You could install raised electrical sockets, have sandbags to hand, and even anti-flood barriers at the boundary of your property. Final Thoughts… Don’t convince yourself that buildings and contents insurance is something you can afford to live without. Start by comparing providers, today.
Failing to have the proper equipment on a building site might jeopardize the project’s development and success. While specific machinery is required for each work, a few must-have tools are useful in all types of building construction. According to KPMG, more than 50% of construction projects fail due to the unavailability of on-site equipment. Having and using the following equipment will ensure that the job goes off without a hitch. A tow truck is a flexible vehicle in construction since it can transport or pull equipment throughout the job site. A tow truck will suffice if the materials being towed aren’t as hefty or demanding as industrial equipment. If you require more horsepower or a diesel vehicle, a tractor is your best choice because it can transport things about the site easily and rapidly, regardless of size. A crane is required for moving things from one height to another. For smaller-scale operations, a huge tower crane will not be required. However, you must hoist goods over short distances on the construction site. In this case, a forklift will work well. Therefore, ensure that you have this equipment on your construction site. If you have enough funds, you can buy one. Alternatively, you can opt for a forklift hire if you are working with a tight budget. Bulldozers are as useful as crawler equipment for pushing and removing sand and rock from a construction zone. Bulldozers clear the job swiftly and effectively, allowing personnel to resume working on schedule. The machine’s attachment on the rear works well for breaking up asphalt and concrete, so keep this in mind. Trenchers, also known as trenching machines, dig trenches in the soil. These ditches are commonly used for pipeline installation, cable laying, drainage, and other application. Trenching machines are categorised into chain trenchers or wheeled trenchers. Chain trenchers have a fixed arm with a digging chain. On the other hand, wheeled trenchers have a metal wheel with digging teeth wrapped around it. Wheeled trenchers are more suited for excavating hard soil layers. Excavators are vital and commonly utilized pieces of construction equipment. Their primary function is to excavate, but they are also employed for various other tasks such as tree cutting, demolition, heavy lifting, and river dredging. It’s worth noting that excavators are equipped with a digging bucket at the end of a long arm and a cabinet for the machine operator. This entire cabin design is adjustable up to 360 degrees, making operating easier. Graders are another construction equipment that plays a major role in any construction project. Its primary function is to level the soil surface. It has a horizontal blade between the front and rear wheels that is lowered into the ground when operating. The operating cabin is located on top of the rear axle setup. Motor graders also remove snow and dirt from roadways before installing asphalt and remove unwanted soil layers from the ground.
As Interplas 2023, prepares to celebrate 75 years of plastics exhibitions in the UK, the sales and marketing teams at Glazpart are finalising plans and getting ready for the UK’s leading plastics exhibition and conference. Interplas takes place at Birmingham NEC on 26th to 28th September and will feature over 500 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in plastics manufacturing processes, technologies, materials, products and services. With an expected visiting audience of over 12,000 trade professionals, Interplas is the perfect platform for Glazpart to display its array of products for the fenestration, construction, automotive, medical, furniture and industrial sectors. Dean Bradley, Sales Director, Glazpart commented, “We are now in the final planning stages for our stand at Interplas and we are looking forward to exhibiting and presenting our broad range of products and solutions to buyers and key influencers in multiple sectors across the UK. At the present time, we are witnessing a lot of change in the plastics industry with key issues at the forefront around regulations, recycling, materials cost, product availability and timely delivery. It may be challenging for many and that’s why shows such as Interplas are important – they provide us with the ideal platform to share our key market intelligence, innovation, solutions and technology.” You can visit Glazpart’s stand at Interplas in Hall 3A, Stand Number DD18. To find out more and/or to register as a visitor, please go to the Interplas website Interplas 2023 | UK Plastics Event, Birmingham, 26-28 September (interplasuk.com). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The term “light fitting” is usually a broad catchall that includes various light sources. It might refer to an overhead light, a chandelier, etc. Light fitting installation simply means installing one of these light sources, either for your home or a business entity. You might need power point and light fitting installation at some juncture. When you do, you may be tempted to handle the job yourself. You can try that, but it can backfire. Let’s talk about reasons why you should probably leave this task up to the professionals. You Can Electrocute Yourself The first reason why doing light fitting installation yourself might be a bad idea is that you can electrocute yourself if you’re not careful. When you do light fitting installation, you’re using electricity. If you don’t have the requisite skill set, hurting or even killing yourself is always possible. You Might Install the Light Incorrectly You also run the risk of installing the light incorrectly if you try to do it yourself. You might damage the light so badly that you render it unusable. That’s sure to upset you if it happens. You may also damage the wiring in and around the light fitting. Not only might you make it necessary to buy a new light fitting, but you might mangle the wiring so badly that you’ll need to hire a professional to come fix that as well. That’s an additional expense. There’s Always the Risk of a Fire If you do anything improper in a home or business that involves electricity, you might cause a fire. You may not realize that you have done anything wrong at that moment, but when you leave the house or business, a fire can start due to your shoddy electrical work. You may return and find that the whole building is ablaze. The Light Can Fall and Injure Someone Many times, you might try to install a light in a ceiling or on a wall. If you install it perfectly, you should not run into any problems. However, if you don’t get the installation just right, the light can fall on someone. If that happens, they might sue you. You can lose your business or a big chunk of your savings. You will feel awful if that happens, but you will feel even worse if the person who harmed themselves was a child. You Shouldn’t Let Pride Dictate How You Improve Your Home or Business You might try to install a light fitting out of a misplaced sense of pride and a belief that you have what it takes to do the job. There’s nothing wrong with that if you have some strong DIY skills or someone qualified taught you how to do electrical work. If you don’t have the skills the job requires, though, then maybe you’re just being stubborn if you think you can do it without any help or guidance. Think about all these factors when you decide whether to bring in a professional or not.
Leading the future of fire safety Date: 17 October 2023 Location: Savoy Place, London and online BOOK NOW Planning for the annual FIRE Conference is well underway for 2023! We look forward to bringing the fire sector together once again to network with peers, share knowledge, and learn about the latest best practices in fire safety. With the day’s programme featuring a series of informative plenaries and panel discussions covering the adoption of a human-centred approach to tragedy – lessons from Grenfell, Building Safety Regulator updates, a ministerial plenary (subject to confirmation), enforcement – who is responsible now?, and the future of fire risk assessors, we are pleased to share further details of the afternoon’s breakout workshop sessions ahead of the full programme being released. Workshops Legal and contractual responsibilities This workshop will look to provide an overview of legal support to practitioners, particularly focusing on liability and contractual law. It is widely acknowledged that many older buildings have a complex history which provides challenges when it comes to the responsibility of remedial work, refurbishments or even their original construction – who is responsible and where do you turn to for further support? The long-term health of firefighters Anna Stec, Professor in Fire Chemistry and Toxicity, UCLan | Riccardo la Torre, National Officer, FBU Recent research has found that toxic contaminants in fires are directly linked to increased rates of cancer and mental health issues among firefighters. The impact of this has far reaching implications on not only firefighters’ physical health, but their mental health too. This workshop will provide an overview of the latest research and a response from the NFCC. New technologies – the opportunities and challenges for fire safety The rapid introduction and evolution of artificial intelligence, machine learning, remote sensing and augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies present promises and pitfalls for fire safety. This workshop will explore the opportunities and challenges new technologies present for fire engineering and fire safety, including advanced modeling and simulation, cybernetic building integrations, wildland fire behavior forecasting, improved fire detection, enhanced incident command decision support and other applications not yet imagined. Participants in this session will join the discussion of how new technologies can help us and where we need to exercise more caution and discretion. National regulator for construction products and the future of fire testing Chris Miles, Commercial Director, Fire Protection Association | Peter Caplehorn, CEO, Construction Products Association | Simon Lewis, Head of Building Safety Working Group, Womble Bond Dickson The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) takes on responsibility for the national regulation of construction products. The OPSS started work to establish the new Regulator in April 2021 and has begun to lead and coordinate work that will set a new regulatory approach for construction products with safety being placed at the core. This workshop will provide delegates with an overview of the types of work that will be undertaken by the new regulator to restore confidence in the safe design, construction, and occupation of high-rise residential buildings. Tackling fire safety in batteries This workshop will examine the different battery applications including micro mobility, electric cars and the wider transport sector. It will explore the technology used, the issues surrounding fire safety and identifying solutions. Carefully considered measures are required to address the hazards these batteries pose and the options available to manage such risks. BOOK NOW Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) was delighted to support and raise awareness of sprinklers at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Built Environment Conference Series, taking place in Cardiff and Salford in June 2023. Following the theme of Performance, Compliance and Safety, CABE’s Built Environment England and Wales Conferences were held at Salford University and Cardiff Metropolitan University on the 20th and 22nd June. Attracting expert panels interacting with a wide range of construction and property sector professionals, the technical leadership conferences cover the key issues within the sector today, including building safety, construction materials, quality, performance and zero carbon within the built environment and all tailored to the key issues for audiences the UK regions. In Salford, the keynote address from the recently appointed Deputy Chief Inspector of buildings, Chris Griffin-McTiernan, shared an insight into the setting up of the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR) including the latest on the registration of high-rise residential buildings (HRBs), the new duty holding regimes, and the future regulation of the building control profession. A particular number that stuck out was that a third of consultations with the BSR over high rise buildings still raise a concern but this is an improvement over the past 12 months. It was perhaps reflected by the audience questions as to whether the market is changing or waiting for new instructions. Richard Harral, CABE’s Technical Director added to this by explaining the significant scope within the Building Safety Act, describing it as the largest piece of legislation since World War II. A fact that had not registered before now and signals the scale of the journey. The act brings clarity to the question of responsibility and emphasises the importance of understanding one’s role within the framework. Ray Quinn of BB7 gave an interesting insight into the role of the fire engineer and how that needs to progress. One element that caught the eye was how he highlighted the outcome of protecting people and property came together needed to be discussed and addressed. Perhaps more telling as people discussed safety was his strong line in that when all is said and done there is no point of “zero risk”. In both Salford and Cardiff there were sessions on the thorny subject of product regulation.The overriding sentiment was that products should deliver on their intended purpose when installed correctly, living up to their claims. Equally within that is the need for those selecting such products to understand their role within that process as designers. The mechanisms to deliver that are still developing. Other keynote speakers in Salford and Cardiff included Jon Vanstone (Chair of the Interim Competence Committee), Hanna Clarke (Digital and Policy Manager at CPA), Amanda Stubbs (Partner at Trowers & Hamlins) and Dr. Hywel Davies (Chief Technical Officer at CIBSE). Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler commented: “While continual progress was being made, the industry is still on a journey to the full implementation of regulatory change. The notion for waiting for everything to be clarified is just not practical in a sea of so much change. What we can see is how safeguarding people and property can form clear objectives.” Competency is central to the thinking on changing the construction and fire safety sectors, “it is essential to possess and maintain expertise in your area of specialism and acknowledge your limits.” These technical conferences gave the BSA the ideal platform to discuss the benefits of sprinklers to protect people and their property, and how active fire protection can play a role in sustainability. “We are delighted to lend our support to these regional events, where we can see education and knowledge are key,” said Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. “It was very encouraging to see a greater understanding of the benefits and an increased adoption of sprinkler systems.” The Business Sprinkler Alliance advocates greater business resilience by enhancing protection against fire through the increased acceptance and use of fire sprinklers in commercial and industrial premises. For more information or to book a place at upcoming CABE regional events for Scotland on 6th September and Ireland on 19th September, visit https://www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org/events For more information about the Business Sprinkler Alliance visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Electric vans are the vehicles of the future, especially as businesses become more and more focused on sustainability and efficiency. There is a greater consumer demand and availability of electric models in the UK market and it was recorded that there are now over 810,000 electric cars on the road as of the end of June 2023. If you work in the construction industry and are looking for a streamlined transport solution, electric vans are a perfect option. Coming with a variety of benefits, electric vans use fewer moving parts so you can revolutionise the way you run your business. Here are the reasons why electric vans are the way forward for builders: Environmental Sustainability The positive environmental impact of electric vans is one of their most convincing benefits. Electric vans do not run on oil products and have no tailpipe, meaning they produce no carbon dioxide emissions or greenhouse gases when driving. The vehicle is powered only by electricity, and it can be charged at designated charge points. These vehicles have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km due to the electricity needed to charge them. This is compared to the 170.5g produced per km by the average petrol car. This goes a long way to meeting the sustainability goals and regulations implemented in your company, which in turn attracts and engages top talent. Lowering your carbon footprint and reducing air pollution contributes to a greener construction industry. Electric vans are a step forward in the right direction and encourage sustainable construction business practices. Cost Savings and Operational Efficiency There are plenty of cost-saving opportunities to be had with electric vans. Fuel costs are significantly lower than for petrol or diesel vehicles, so you’ll save money on running costs over time. While charging an electric vehicle often incurs a charge, it will cost you a fraction of what you would spend purchasing other fuel alternatives. Maintenance costs are also lower with electric vans because there are fewer car components to service and replace. Also, the majority of electric van models are newer so there should be fewer trips to the mechanics. On top of this, you can expect to see access to government grants and other cost-saving measures when you invest in electric vans. Low-emission vehicles are eligible for a plug-in grant from the UK government. This allows you to purchase your electric van more cheaply. If you’re going to be travelling around London, your electric vans will earn you a full refund on congestion charges. Range Limitations and Price Considerations The driving range of electric vehicles is improving all the time, but it is still a source of anxiety for consumers. Expensive price tags are another major component preventing many from making the switch to EVs but again, as time goes on, manufacturers are improving their product offerings and gradually bringing prices down. For builders, this means that a range of electric vans, light commercial 4×4’s and other SUVs will gradually hit the market in the next few years. These vehicles will be designed to withstand tough building site terrains and weather conditions. With the factors mentioned above, it would not be unrealistic for builders to expect lower transport expenses and lower insurance premiums over time. It would therefore make sense to consider other types of insurance products such as tyre insurance to protect your tyres from accidental or malicious damage or business content insurance in the event of a theft against your work tools. Charging times for electric vehicles vary depending on the power of the charging system. While it could take under forty minutes to receive an 80% charge, it could also require an entire day for a full recharge. Even in the best-case scenario, it is quicker to refuel conventional vans than to charge an electric one.
A dressing table may not be a bedroom essential, but it can make a lot of difference for both practical and aesthetic reasons. It allows you to keep all your hair and makeup products in one place, easily accessible first thing in the morning. In addition, a dressing table can complement the room’s overall design and fill up space if you feel that your room is too empty. But now you may be wondering how to choose a dressing table that will perfectly suit your needs and your bedroom. With so many available options, narrowing it down to just one furniture piece will not be easy. That is why we have prepared the following four tips to help you! 1. Decide What Features Your Dressing Table Needs Aside from their original purpose, dressing tables frequently double as writing desks and storage units. So, the first thing to consider when getting one is how it would be used and whether it would need any additional features to fulfill that purpose. For example, if you plan to use your dressing table as an additional storage unit for makeup, hair products, or jewelry, you will need to buy a piece with drawers and little compartments. That way, you will be able to organize everything properly and keep your items in order as you get ready. However, keep in mind that this kind of dressing table will likely only fit in spacier bedrooms. If you are limited in space, a dressing table that doubles as a writing desk might be a good solution. Such a table would need a larger surface area and a comfortable chair or a stool for you to sit in. Luckily, the cheap dressing tables selection tends to be rather large, so you should not have trouble finding a perfect piece. 2. Pick a Style That Suits Your Room Once you decide on your dressing table’s functionality, it is time to consider its design and the specific style you are going for. The interior design of your bedroom will play a significant role in this, as the dressing table should complement it and naturally fit in with its surroundings. To help you pick the perfect dressing table design for your bedroom, we will introduce you to some basics. For instance, you can look for: Aside from these three basic styles, there are many others to choose from; for instance, art deco, transitional, new traditional, eclectic, and more. Ultimately, you need to do your own research and find out what suits your tastes. 3. Choose Between an Oak or a Painted Table Do you want your dressing table to retain that natural, wooden feel, or would you rather have it add a dash of color to your bedroom? That will largely depend on the room’s overall design and the style you are going for. There are no specific rules for choosing the right finish, but home improvement experts give the following advice: As you can see, a painted finish is more versatile than wood, but oak comes with its own advantages. Usually, an oak finish is long-lasting and durable, ensuring continuous quality for years. In addition, certain styles, such as traditional or classic, do not work as well with painted finishes as they do with oak. 4. Consider Where to Put the Dressing Table Before ngpurchasing a dressing table, consider the space in your bedroom and how your dressing table will fit in. That does not mean only buying a smaller dressing table if you do not have a lot of room and vice versa. Instead, think about the precise position of the dressing table and the general arrangement of furniture in your bedroom. For example, dressing tables are spots where you will do your hair and makeup, so it is important to take light sources into account. If possible, place your table near a window to soak up as much of that natural light as possible! Another thing to consider is sockets, as you will most likely want to plug in your hairdryers and straighteners or even just your phone charger. Plus, putting a dressing table near sockets allows you to easily add another lamp in case your existing light sources are not sufficient. Finally, the kind of mirror you will use with your dressing table plays a large role in its placement. For instance, if you opt for a hanging mirror, you will need to put the table against a wall to accommodate it. But if the dressing table comes with a built-in mirror, that will not be as much of a concern. In Conclusion Ultimately, all interior designers’ rules and advice should serve only as guidance when choosing a perfect dressing table for your bedroom. What matters the most is that you are satisfied with your choice, even if it doesn’t necessarily fit the ideal from home improvement catalogs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Do you discover that more and more people around you are installing lifts at home? This is because the home elevator is a rising trend, and many people are opting for a new lift installation at home globally. Having a home lift was once considered a luxury. However, now there are many homeowners who require this solution due to a disability or mobility challenge. Moreover, people across the world are installing lifts to enhance their daily comfort and future-proof their houses. Reasons behind the Rising Home Lift Installation Trend With the growing population and prevalence of disabilities, the requirement for home lifts is quickly increasing, making them an essential attribute of modern home design. New lift installation at home is becoming highly popular, especially in bigger homes and multi-story residential complexes. The main reason behind this is the increasing demand for accessibility solutions in houses, particularly for disabled and elderly people. Here are some factors that contribute to the increasing popularity of a new lift installation at home: 1. Home Lifts Are Becoming More Cost-Effective Although home lifts were considered a luxury earlier, now they are widely available and more cost-effective. Home lifts are available at different prices based on their features and size. However, the cost is sometimes outweighed by the perks, including increased convenience, accessibility, and home value. 2. Technology Enhancements Technology improvements are another factor contributing to the rising demand for home elevators. Modern home lifts are available in several styles, sizes, and designs, making them more attractive to homeowners. Also, they are efficient and dependable, with features like easy maintenance, energy-saving modes, and silent function. These features make them a more convenient option for homeowners looking for accessibility solutions. 3. Increased Value of Residential Properties Residential lifts make it easier for people to move between floors, making life easier for seniors and disabled people and lowering injury risks. Furthermore, they increase home accessibility, allowing people to live comfortably at home. In short, home elevators increase the value of houses, making them a great investment for homeowners. 4. Increase in New Housing Constructions This is another factor driving the popularity of home lifts. With increasing urbanization and population, the demand for multi-story houses is growing, making residential lifts more crucial. Also, new home designs focus on convenience and luxury, and lifts are the basic element of such designs. Architects and home builders are including lifts in their designs to fulfil the demands of modern homeowners. Benefits of Having a Home Lift To help deal with mobility issues at home, Shaftless Stair Lift, home elevators, and platform lifts are famous solutions for numerous adults. No matter what type of lift you choose for your house, you will reap a number of benefits. Let’s delve into them! 1. Better Access for Physically Challenged Individuals Accessibility is one of the main benefits of a new lift installation at home. With increasing accessibility to homes, disabled people can take advantage of the space just like others. 2. Safer and More Comfortable A home elevator or stair lift is an amazing way to move around for less mobile homeowners. It is safer and more convenient to use than the stairs. With lowered mobility, there are huge risks associated, and a lift is an ideal way to avoid those risks without restricting your movement. 3. Easy to Maintain and Use Many people consider lifts an expensive investment. However, it is very easy to maintain and use. It just needs cleaning to keep it in good condition. It hardly breaks down and can work for numerous years. 4. Future-Proofing a House for Retirement Living With aging, it becomes a constant struggle for people to climb up and down stairs every day. So, new lift installation future-proofs a house for retirement, adding both resale value and accessibility. Final Verdict If you are ready to be part of the rising trend of new lift installation at home to make your house future-proof, comfortable, and accessible, you must get in touch with Irish Lift Services. They offer a wide range of home lift solutions. So, if you are seeking to install an elevator in your house, they can help you find the lift that best meets your needs.
If your home comes with a septic tank, then you’re obliged to abide by a string of regulations. These regulations protect not only you, but the people around you and the natural world, too. Around half a million homes in the UK are equipped with septic tanks – and if any of the relevant homeowners fail in their duties, they could be met with heavy legal penalties. What is a septic tank? A septic tank is a kind of underground vessel to which waste water from the home is discharged. Septic tanks tend to be favoured in remote areas where connection to the sewage system is impracticable. What are the new regulations? 2015 saw a series of new septic-tank regulations come into force, governing the discharge of waste from septic tanks. Homeowners were obliged to make the necessary upgrades before 2020, or stop using their tanks. According to the law, the homeowner is responsible for operating the sewage tank. This responsibility can, however, be shared with a number of other homeowners. You might also be renting the property, in which case you’ll be responsible for the operation of the tank. You’ll be discharging sewage into the ground or a nearby body of water. If you began to do this before 2015, and the discharge has not changed in type, moved more than ten metres, or increased in volume by more than 2,000 litres a day (in the case of ground discharge) or 5,000 litres a day (in the case of surface-water discharge), then it will be considered an ‘existing’ discharge. Otherwise, it will be considered a new discharge. New discharges must be connected to the main sewer, if the Environment Agency deems it practicable. If they don’t, you’ll get a permit for a sewage treatment system. Note that you’ll probably need planning permission to install a facility of this kind. The duty of care from conveyancing solicitors If you’re buying a property with a septic tank, then it’s the duty of the solicitor to protect you from any nasty surprises. They’ll need to establish when the system was installed, and what implications that might have for your future in the new home. If your solicitor has failed to do this, then you might find yourself facing significant expenses and hassle. This is where legal action in the form of a septic tank negligence claim might be warranted. How the new laws could impact future homeowners If you’re the owner of a septic tank that was installed without building regulations approval or planning permission, then you could be forced to make the system compliant, even if it wasn’t you that commissioned or supervised the installation in the first place. As such, it’s critical that you do your homework before moving in.