Multi-Storey Flats to benefit from highly efficient new heating system

Tenants in 6 of the Association’s Multi-Storey blocks in Springburn will soon benefit from a new heating system which will be more environmentally friendly, energy efficient and more cost effective. This project is partially being funded by the Scottish Government and Energy Savings Trust, and the contractor carrying out the works is Easy Heat Systems Ltd. We are replacing the existing heating system in the Multi-Storey Flats with Air Source Heat Pumps. An Air Source Heat Pump is a renewable energy source meaning it is better for the environment. It works by extracting heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside.

It can generate heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -20C. Heat pumps have less impact on the environment as they need electricity to run, but the heat they extract from the air is constantly being renewed naturally. The air-to-water system distributes heat via your wet central heating system just as your current system does, however the heat pumps work much more efficiently at a lower temperature than a standard boiler system would. The Air Source Heat Pumps are placed on the roof of the building and are supplied in modular units, this means even if some of them stop working the system will still provide heat to the properties in the building.

Communal Works

We will be installing the pipework in the communal areas along with the other works making the building “Sprinkler Ready”. The installation of sprinklers is complex and requires intrusive works in every room of the home, so we will NOT be taking the sprinkler system into homes in the Multi-Storey Flats unless legislation requires us to do so. In addition, we will be installing a new, state of the art fire detection system both within the communal areas but also within the homes themselves. This will include new wiring, new smoke detectors, new heat detectors and a new property alarm system. While these communal works are being carried out, we are going to be installing new CAT6e cabling. This will be used to support a new secure door entry system for each block, improving the safety and security of its tenants. These additional works will be carried out at the same time as the communal works for the heating system so as not to cause any further disruption.

Door Replacements

We will be upgrading the fire safety of each home by removing the old front door, and replacing it with a new and improved 60 minute fire rated door.

Water Tank Removal

We will also be removing the old (and rather large) cold water storage tanks and replacing them with boosted mains fed cold water.

Communal Ventilation We will install Automatic Opening Vents in each block. In the event of a fire, these encourage smoke to leave the common areas and let fresh air in. As an additional fire safety measure, we will be blocking up the old Georgian wire windows with a fire rated board and a finish that will match the common area decoration.

Compartmentation

Fire Compartmentation is an important part of the passive fire protection within the overall fire safety system of a building. It is achieved by dividing the premises into ‘fire compartments’ through the use of fire doors, floors and walls of fire-resisting construction and fire stopping to services that penetrate through these dividing elements. We will be ‘fire stopping’ all the penetrations within your home to ensure maximum safety.

Soil Waste Pipe

In addition to the other works, we will be installing a new soil waste pipe which will require us to core through each floor in the block. This will be done at the back of the cupboard where the water tank currently sits.