Kawneer launches slimline window for education and home improvement sectors
The AA®720 SL casement window enhances Kawneer’s premium AA®720 range. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Continue ReadingAntimicrobial Plastic Market To Witness Tremendous Growth In Forecast Period 2020-2027: BASF, Clariant, Bayer Material Science AG, Biocote Limited
The report has been curated after observing and studying various factors that determine regional growth such as economic, environmental, social, technological, and political status of the particular region. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Continue ReadingARE YOU READY FOR ADJUDICATION?
Organisations in the construction sector are being warned to expect a rise in the number of adjudications around contracts as government support comes to an end and cash becomes scarce for many businesses. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Continue ReadingSTFC CHOOSES KEYSOURCE FOR PRE-CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT
The Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has chosen Keysource, the global data centre and critical environment specialist, to undertake a pre-construction services contract for the data centre upgrade at its Daresbury Laboratory facility in Warrington. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Continue ReadingCare Homes market suffer short term effect from Covid-19 pandemic
The care homes industry was hugely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020, with mortality rates disproportionately high amongst the care home population and the UK’s older age groups (those aged 70+). This led to a sharp drop in the care home population and hence occupancy levels during 2020.
Total care home sector revenue in 2020/2021, down by almost 3% from the previous year due to the pandemic. The private/independent sector accounted for a leading 91% of overall market value in 2020/2021, with the public sector comprising the remainder. Despite the drop in value within the last year, the market is expected to return to growth from 2021 onwards thanks in part to the COVID-19 vaccination scheme now running in the UK.
The most significant change in the provision of residential care in the last 25 years has been the much greater involvement of the private sector, with substantial growth in the number of private nursing home places – these have replaced large numbers of NHS hospital beds for both geriatric and mental illness care.
The private care home market in the UK is highly fragmented, consisting of several key players and many small providers. A key feature of the care home market is the prevalence of small and medium sized providers, of which there are around 9,500 at present.
The Government remains under pressure to introduce a more sustainable model for funding social care in the UK. There have been ongoing delays to the publication of its Social Care Green Paper, a situation not helped by the distractions caused in dealing with Covid-19.
Despite the fall in market value and reduction in occupancy levels which took place in 2020, the future for the care home sector appears reasonably positive, assuming the current vaccination programme succeeds in suppressing the threats posed by Covid-19 and its mutant strains.
With the UK population expected to continue ageing during the next few decades, demand for care home places should remain high throughout much of the UK. Despite the strong pipeline of construction activity, a considerable number of the UK’s care homes are considered sub-standard. An estimated 6,500 care homes are at risk of closure within the next five years, chiefly for this reason – this equates to approximately 140,000 bed spaces. By 2025, the UK faces an anticipated shortfall of 28,000 bed spaces.
While Covid-19 may have reduced the demand for care home places in the short term, the risk of potential shortages of bed spaces is likely to persist as the decade progresses.
About AMA Research
AMA Research is a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 30 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets. For more information, go to www.amaresearch.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @AMAResearch for all the latest building and construction market news.
Since 2017, AMA Research has been part of Barbour ABI, a leading provider of construction intelligence services. Barbour ABI is part of UBM, which in June 2018 combined with Informa PLC to become a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world. To learn more and for the latest news and information, visit www.ubm.com and www.informa.com.
Continue ReadingExperts in connected safety, FireAngel, launch the most technologically advanced gateway in the safety market
Continuing to fulfil its mission to protect and save lives with innovative, cutting-edge home safety technology, FireAngel has launched its New Generation Cellular Gateway enabling social housing landlords to offer a level of protection and prevention measures never seen before in fire safety.
Using FireAngel’s Smart RF technology, the New Generation Cellular Gateway wirelessly connects smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms within the property to the ‘FireAngel Connected’ cloud-based platform. The data from each property is then presented to Social Housing Landlords in actionable, manageable insights, allowing them to monitor when alarms are triggered, removed, or require maintenance.
The FireAngel Connected solution is further enhanced with an AI powered fire risk tool, FireAngel Predict, which uses live data to give a real-time risk level unique to each property. Putting resident safety first, FireAngel Predict supports prioritised interventions and increased fire prevention measures, to potentially prevent a life-threatening event from occurring.
The gateway’s design allows it to be attached as a base for an existing FireAngel mains-powered product, so it is quick to position by installers. It’s further enhanced with Zigbee capability which allows connectivity with other Zigbee sensors within the property, such as water leak detectors, panic buttons and motion sensors, supporting smarter homes for the future. The gateway also has built in temperature and humidity sensors to allow landlords to identify environments which may lead to the onset of damp and mould in the property.
With only 79% of social renters having internet access, gaining and then maintaining a secure connection to any remote platform is a key concern for social landlords. With this in mind, the gateway has been designed to remove the need to use WiFi connectivity as it can use cellular signal, with a back-up of communal WiFi if available.
Another key benefit of the FireAngel Connected solution is that the device data can be integrated into a Social Landlord’s existing asset management system, as well as having a fully customisable dashboard and reporting options of its own.
Trials of the New Generation Cellular Gateway are already underway for a number of social housing properties across the UK.
FireAngel Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Nick Rutter says: “Our New Generation Cellular Gateway is an integral part of a social landlord’s digital transformation strategy. As it gives access to our FireAngel Connected system it offers landlords a remote monitoring system as well as offering a live risk assessment tool to help protect residents and properties.
The fact that our gateway has Zigbee built in and our system can integrate with existing asset management systems means landlords can future-proof, knowing that the monitoring of a property’s ecosystem will be scalable, and expandable in the future to provide increased safety and reassurance.”
The New Generation Gateway from FireAngel will be launched at the Housing Technology Conference on 3-4 March 2021.
FireAngel is leading the way in IoT and AI innovations through the development of advanced safety solutions tailored to the needs of housing providers. Since 1998, over 50 million devices have been installed and protection provided for over 15 million homes. FireAngel is committed to delivering a safer society through the utilisation of data-driven approaches, connected technology and trusted partnerships. FireAngel’s adaptable and future-proofed solutions are powered by unique, patented technology – transforming the future of fire safety and offering the most reliable and efficient solution that protects all.
Continue ReadingO’Keefe group appoints new MD
Marc Daly joins the O’Keefe group as managing director. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Continue ReadingTop 5 Things to Consider When Extending a Kitchen
So, you’ve been contemplating remodelling a kitchen but don’t know where to start. Unlike basic refurbishments such as repainting or redecorating, expansion is a more serious pursuit. And it can be daunting. But don’t let that stop you from achieving the kitchen of your dreams. Here are five features you need to think about when you’re upscaling your kitchen space.
Light
Light gives an illusion of extra space, and nothing does this better than sunlight. Before you decide on fixtures or finalize your layout, determine how much natural light will be available in your extension and where it will come in. Do you need large windows? Where should you position them? Answering these questions will help you know how much artificial light the room needs and where to place them. More importantly, you will be able to arrange your workspaces efficiently to avoid cramming the area.
Structural Ramifications
We love DYI projects mainly because they are inexpensive. But when it comes to creating functional designs and choosing appropriate materials, it is best to consult an expert. Ultimately, hiring a qualified architect or designer is more sustainable and cost-effective. Professionals, such as qualified residential architects, can give you accurate quotes and ensure that your renovations are compliant with building regulations. We recommend that you meet with at least three designers so you can compare prices, ideas, and expertise.
Use Space Creatively
An intelligent kitchen design allows you to effortlessly combine cooking, dining, and socializing in one area without feeling stuffed. How do you maximise space? Know your priorities and get rid of unnecessary embellishments. Go for bespoke cupboards instead of decors, select multi-purpose furniture (island table that doubles as storage), and be smart with your colour scheme, regardless of whether you are fitting out kitchens in Altrincham or Shoreditch. The space will save you in the long run. Set up sliding glass doors that lead to outdoor space to make an illusion of one large room. If you opt for an open-plan layout, utilize a centre island or counter instead of dividers to break to create distinct zones.
How Will the Outside Affect the Inside?
Don’t start knocking down walls until you have studied the exterior of the building. Your kitchen layout will depend on the size and shape of the main house and the outside space. Learn about different types of extensions: single-storey, side-return, or wrap-around. Synchronize the materials, decors, colours, and overall theme. If you have a garden, incorporate it into your kitchen extension. You can install a retracting glass door that provides a view and leads directly outside. Be sure that the kitchen flooring matches your patio, as this creates continuity and harmony, allowing the area to look more spacious.
Plan Plan Plan
Planning is the key to a successful kitchen expansion. The more and longer you plan, the better the results. Do not rely merely on the suggestions and advice of friends and family. Consult with industry experts and kitchen designers. Be very clear and concise with what you want, but never shut off ideas or hesitate to ask questions. Remember that your architect needs to understand your lifestyle to create the most suitable design for you.
A crucial part of planning is budgeting. In addition to expenses on materials, labour, and consultation, allocate money for building regulation costs, finishes, and contingency. Make sure to stick strictly to your budget by focusing on your plan. Lastly, check if you need to get planning permission. Small extensions that fall within permitted development may not need permission, but large extensions or additions to a flat do.
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