PROJECT OVERVIEW
Watmos Community Homes, together with Soltherm and Surefire Management Services have successfully delivered an essential energy efficiency initiative to some of England’s poorest neighbourhoods. A much needed high-rise apartment complex has received a major energy efficiency upgrade, providing its tenants with improved living conditions and affordable heating.
The regeneration project enhanced 1,074 homes, situated across 21 high-rise apartment complexes across four estates in Walsall.
Through its partnership with Soltherm and Surefire Management Services, Watmos was able to secure the essential Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) funds necessary for the successful completion of this ambitious operation. Surefire Management Services was the primary contractor in this endeavour.
THE PROJECT
The primary purpose of this programme was to enhance the thermal efficiency of each dwelling, with the secondary goals of cutting down on energy use and lowering the likelihood of moisture and mould growth. To achieve this, Watmos required a durable, long-lasting ETICS system
Energy efficiency means that we use energy better, and that ultimately means that people who live in the flats and the houses here have a better quality of life.
They pay less for their energy bills and they’re warmer. A lot of populations of these buildings are quite elderly on fixed income. So it’s really important in my view, to make sure that we’re able to provide these type of measures to these communities.
Stephen Gapik, Managing Director, Soltherm
The housing blocks themselves date back to the 1960s. As investments have been limited over the years, it became clear that these local landmarks needed to be updated to meet modern living standards.
I was involved with the estate more years than 20 ago. And I worked with residents, and we used to call these places ‘the ice blocks.’ So that says it all really, doesn’t it?
Richard Worrell, Resident
TECHNICAL DATA:
Project Name
The Watmos Regeneration Project
System(s) Installed
ETICS system
Type of Building
Apartment Blocks
Installer
Watmoss Community Homes
In order to preserve the structural integrity of the apartment complex, boost its environmental performance and address the priority of increasing its fire safety rating, the Soltherm A1 Ultimate Steel system was specified for this project
A1 ULTIMATE STEEL
First of its kind in the UK
A1 Non-combustible
Fixed directly to LGSF framing
Linear A1 through system (all components)
Suitable for all building types (high-rise / low-rise)
Available in multiple finishes
BDA Certified
The only BBA certified A1 system
A1 Fire rated (BS EN 13501 / BS 8414)
25-year appearance guarantee
THE RESULT
As per Building Safety Fund requirements, measured increases in living standards, especially fire safety, must be reported with the appropriate certifications for all materials used.
The Soltherm A1 Ultimate Steel system is certified A1 for fire safety, the highest possible rating for non-combustibility in any cladding material available. It achieves a A1-s1, d0 rating in accordance with BS EN 13501-1 requirements, meeting Building Safety Fund criteria.
“We predominantly work with Soltherm. We like their products because of their quality, but primarily we like the technical support and the backup they provide in Poland. That’s very important to us and that’s why they’re our preferred supplier.”
Keith Laing, Director of Facades, Guildmore Construction Limited
Soltherm are the UK and Europe’s leading manufacturer of ETICS products for improved insulation and energy efficiency. After 15 years of research and development, they have innovated modern External Wall Insulation products that reduce fuel costs and Co2 emissions, meanwhile modernising old structures with a variety of attractive finishes.
Soltherm’s range of A1 fire rated EWI facades are totally unique and surpass the level of fire safety seen in most modern buildings today. Together with unsurpassed fire protection and an unlimited range of finishes, world leading fire safety across UK residences and commercial buildings is now a reality.
WHY SOLTHERM?
Manufacturing building products for 25 years
Operations across 15 countries
Approved by NSAI, BBA, ETA, DiBT and BBA
4.5 million square metres of EWI facades installed annually
ISO14001/2014 and ISO9001/2014 accredited
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