Decarbonisation Retrofit, Birkenhead

Project Overview

Background

This energy efficiency retrofit scheme for Magenta Living featured 99 occupied properties in Rock Ferry, Birkenhead. It followed a similar scheme for the same client, completed some months earlier. This entailed retrofit works to 82 occupied properties of mixed archetypes, also in Wirral. In this instance, the homes were a mixture of mid- and end-terraces and 76 semi-detached homes. All were of traditional solid wall construction.

Whereas the first scheme had been part funded via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), this successor project was to be funded via Wave 1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

Brief

The purpose of this scheme was straightforward: to install an external wall insulation system to improve the thermal performance and appearance of the various homes. In tandem with this, the main contractor would also manage the installation of loft insulation to further improve the properties’ ability to retain heat.

As an SHDF-funded scheme, the work would be delivered in accordance with the PAS standards. This required that detailed retrofit assessments be conducted in order to ensure that the most appropriate measures were being proposed. Property-by-property surveys and pre-installation EPC assessments were undertaken in order to provide a benchmark for measuring the impacts of the work.

Works on site began in January 2023.

Design and Specification:

For the original, ERDF-funded scheme, the client had chosen Permarock Brick Effect Render as the principal finish. This produced an attractive finish that was visually compatible with the wider neighbourhood, which was dominated by brick-built homes.

For this next scheme, the chosen EWI system would again utilise Permarock Brick Effect Render (BER), in conjunction with Permarock Mineral Fibre external wall insulation. The BER would typically be used on ground floor elevations, while Permarock SiliconeUltra K Finish would be applied to the properties’ upper storeys.

When Permarock Mineral Fibre is used with either BER or Permarock SiliconeUltra K Finish, the resulting system achieves an A2-s1, d0 reaction-to-fire classification (assessed to EN 13501-1). The system is suitable for use on buildings of any height, including those with a storey height above 18 metres. It is breathable, highly resistant to weathering, and capable of retaining a clean, bright appearance for many years.

Installation

We provided project-specific training for 10 installer operatives and site management. Work began as planned in September 2023 and progressed smoothly. Having played an important part in the planning, surveying and testing stages, we were able to provide relevant drawings and detailing. This facilitated a rapid pace of completions by the main contractor, Sustainable Building Services. Moreover, our technical services team continued to provide remote and on-site support for the duration of the scheme, and conducted weekly site visits to monitor progress.

The EWI systems and other decarbonisation measures were all installed in accordance with the demands of the PAS 2030/2035 standards.

Result:

In addition to helping the project team by providing product data, designs and visualisations at the planning stages, our technical staff also provided valuable input into the associated retrofit assessments, project plans and thermal calculations. Further on-site support included conducting pull-out tests to ensure that the system could be securely affixed, and performing quality inspections to ensure that the installation was being conducted in accordance with the specification.

As a result, progress on site was excellent: both efficient and quality-focused. The work was duly delivered on schedule and in line with all relevant funding requirements.

Client
Magenta Living
Specifier
Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd
Substrate
Various (solid wall)
System
Permarock Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation Systems
Finish 1
Permarock Brick Effect Render
Finish 2
Permarock SiliconeUltra K Finish