CALA Group has become the first national housebuilder to have junction details certified under the new BRE Global Certification Scheme which aims to reduce the level of thermal bridging that can occur in homes.
The certified thermal details and products scheme enables housebuilders to demonstrate to customers that their designs and specified products meet the appropriate performance standards. The scheme also takes account of the potential risk of surface condensation and mould growth on inside surface areas, which can have significant health implications for occupants, in some cases leading to asthma attacks and other respiratory illnesses.
Director of BRE Scotland Rufus Logan notes 'CALA is to be applauded on its commitment to ensuring the highest standard of homes for customers and we would urge other UK housebuilders to follow their lead. Tougher legislation and rising energy prices have encouraged increased use of insulation in walls, roofs and floors which is a positive step towards reducing heat losses. However, we need to ensure that the increased levels of insulation give the best return on investment by reducing the incidence of heat escaping through thermal bridges and ensuring that damp and mould do not occur'
The certified termal dtails and products sceme detail database will be accessible in SAP 2016 software and referenced within the Home Quality Mark to enable designers and housebuilders to utilise certified details within these assessments, which will enable assessors to more accurately assess the performance of the building and help to close the performance gap. The scheme database allows users to search a range of accurate and independently assessed thermal junction details, products and elements, ensuring accuracy, consistency, credibility and quality throughout the design and specification process.
Scheme Technical Manager Graeme Hannah adds: "Scheme certification, is a significant step forward in tackling an important issue within building performance that is often overlooked. Our scheme builds on Government Accredited Construction Details, by providing the industry with a wider range of accurate and independently assessed, readily accessible and searchable performance values in which they can have confidence."
