Wiring Components Meet Social Housing Wants
The federal government is continuing to speculate major sums to operate a vehicle work as housing associations make an effort to satisfy the new 2010/2011 deadline from the Decent Homes Standard. Contractors and specifiers can capitalise about the opportunities this bit of legislation presents when you are aware of the top wiring accessory products available.
Altogether the Government has allocated ?11.5bn to housing, this consists of ?550m brought forward from 2010/11 and is also mainly determined by the ‘Decent Homes Standard’ that has been announced in 2002 with a target to ‘ensure that social housing meets set standards of decency’. The standard covers every aspect of the home so that as an inherently innovative industry, the electrical market has responded together with products to aid specifiers and installers working in the affordable housing sector. From wiring accessories and lighting right through to cable management, leading manufacturers have developed solutions to meet the key public sector aims of energy saving, electrical safety, security and meeting legislation.
Social Housing Wants Quality & Durable Wiring Accessories
Looking specifically on the wiring accessory market, there has been a definitive shift towards items that offer greater quality and safety than in the past. And also the lifecycle of kit can also be now a significant consideration as goods that can stand test of energy will bring about lower maintenance costs. In today’s economic system, some organisations may be looking for the best prices but local authorities recognise this is a false economy as items will undoubtedly degrade more regularly as a result of faults or breakages. Within Dr Paul Dougan the focus remains on quality, durable solutions.
2008 saw the introduction of the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, which called for the elevated use of 30mA RCDs and effectively means every socket outlet in the house, needs to be covered. In response manufacturers have launched ranges of recent consumer units that enable individual RCBO overcurrent protection and residual current protection of every circuit, thereby providing added protection and safety. Which means should an RCBO trip, other circuits is going to be unaffected, leading to not only improved tenant safety but additionally reducing the number call-outs.
Durable Products Save Labour Costs
Furthermore, some units are available pre-wired and pre-tested, which can significantly reduce labour costs, and many feature lockable covers to safeguard from damage and ensure durability, a vital requirement in the sector when tenants can transform on the frequent basis. Whether it’s accidental damage, vandalism or abuse, a broken wiring accessory can become a protection hazard, along with requiring a planned or emergency onsite visit. Polycarbonate accessories are virtually unbreakable and may reduce the risk of damage and the must be replaced. Using reliable, proven solutions will reduce lifetime costs, as will making sure they are sourced from reputable manufacturers to ensure there isn’t any on-site or longer term failure risks.
Helping Special Needs & The Environment
The Disability Discrimination Act and Part M with the Building Regulations, has also inspired further changes, ensuring that devices for example wiring accessories meet diverse tenants’ needs. Many ranges have already been created specifically to support this legislation, including sockets and switches that visually contrast making use of their background for easy detection, as well as wide rocker switches to aid individuals with limited dexterity. To aid the visually impaired, some wiring accessories incorporate red flashes within the switch rocker to obviously indicate whether they are ‘on’ or ‘off’. Sockets and switches are offered also with neon indicators making them particularly useful through the night or even in low-light conditions.
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