FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Amey is working alongside the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and SMEs to retrofit service family accommodation with a series of net zero solutions.
Planning has recently been approved for nine military homes in Catterick to receive fabric improvements. These include the installation of external wall rendering and insulation, triple glazed windows, increased roof insulation, plus renewable energy sources such as air and ground source heat pumps and photovoltaics.
Each property has been designed to meet EnerPhit certification which is a quality-approved standard for economically and ecologically optimal energy retrofits on old buildings. This exemplar pilot project will aim to achieve >92% Net Zero Carbon In Use Energy Performance and if successful it can be used as a blueprint for additional properties across the MOD estate.
Designs have been led by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects (SWA) and close collaboration with QODA Consulting (the building physicists). It is hoped that improvement works will commence in the summer, and once complete, will not only reduce carbon consumption but will also reduce energy costings for the residents.
Tom Silvey, Amey, Operations Director for military housing, said: “Helping our clients transition to a greener and more sustainable future is vitally important to us. Our knowledge and expertise in managing public sector estates means we are well positioned to help support energy transition activities and we hope that this project is just the beginning of this journey.”
Kieron Mullen, DIO Accommodation, Head of Estate Services, said: “It’s important to decrease energy use wherever possible to minimise carbon emissions and this project is just one of the ways we’re working to reduce our environmental impact. Alongside reducing carbon emissions, this pilot project will improve thermal efficiency. This is one the areas where we are focusing improvement, to make sure homes are comfortably warm for families as well as being cheaper for them to heat.”
With the current economic crisis resulting in higher prices and more of a squeeze on resources, FMs need to ensure that they have robust building and maintenance services in place to control costs and reduce the need for emergency repairs. When it comes to drainage and plumbing there are also the challenges of dealing with extreme weather, from droughts to flooding, the need to meet stringent regulations and to avoid causing environmental damage.
UK drainage specialist, Metro Rod, has launched a survey which explores the main areas of interest for FMs in maintaining drainage and plumbing, including how they currently assess their supply chains to ensure they’re working with partners that meet the highest possible standards and provide value for money.
The results will be published online so that you can see how you compare to others within the sector.
The survey should take just 5-10 minutes of your time, and as a thank you, you will be entered into a prize draw, where one lucky winner will be picked at random to receive a £100 Amazon voucher.
To take part click here.
