The largest social
housing landlord in the UK has commissioned the British Board of Agrément
Consultancy Investigation Training (BBA CIT) to conduct the most comprehensive
study of its kind into cavity wall insulation.
The Northern Ireland
Housing Executive has tasked BBA CIT with surveying 1,000 social homes and 300
private homes. The research project is already underway and is expected to be
completed next summer with results published later in the year.
Paul Isherwood, the
Housing Executive’s Director of Asset Management, said: “This is follow-on
research from a study we carried out in 2014 when 206 homes were surveyed. That
identified issues with the quality of existing cavity wall insulation in some residential
dwellings.
“In some cases, the
problems were due to poor installation practices, and the post-inspection
methods that are used today were not available in the 1980s. However it is also
apparent some dwellings were also insulated where it was inappropriate to do
so, due to geographical location, construction type or dwelling condition.
“This is the largest
survey of its kind ever undertaken in Northern Ireland. We are confident that
the results will provide an evidence base to influence policy within this area
in the future.”
Rob McCormack,
Director of BBA CIT, said: “We have deployed a team of expert technical
assessors across Northern Ireland to carry-out the cavity wall insulation
research project. BBA CIT inspectors are applying a specific methodology to
assess the performance of cavity wall installations and overall property
condition, with all findings and technical recommendations being submitted to
the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. In addition an Insulation Performance
Panel (IPP) formed of colleagues from the Housing Executive, Department for
Communities, tenant representation and academics from local universities are
providing governance and overseeing the project.
“Northern Ireland is
leading the way in developing housing and insulation policy based on strong,
operational evidence in the field and we are excited to be part of the
project,” added Mr McCormack.
BBA
CIT offers independent, expert technical advice and property investigation
services to organisations concerned about the performance of insulation
products, including cavity wall insulation and external wall insulation. BBA
CIT delivers peace of mind about the condition of housing stock and reassurance
when properties are being recommended for retrofit intervention works.
BBA
CIT’s ultimate aim is to raise housing standards to the benefit of residents
and those whose responsibility it is to look after them. CIT is a part of
the British Board of Agrément, which was
formed in 1966 and offers certification, testing, audit and inspection services
to manufacturers of construction products and systems and installer approval.
