INDUSTRY UPDATE NEWS
There are potential fire risks in volumetric modular housing, according to new research, and researchers have warned the Ministry of Housing that fire testing for factory-made homes is “likely to be sub-optimal”. The report, commissioned by the Ministry of Housing and conducted by Harlow Consulting and Edinburgh Napier University, said: “There is no standard fire test methodology which is directly applicable for volumetric construction; testing that takes place is likely to be sub-optimal. “While there is insufficient evidence to suggest whether a fire is more or less likely in a modular building compared with a traditionally constructed building, the event of a serious fire is likely to result in more serious consequences in a modular building if the choice has been made to use combustible elements in the voids and cavities through which fire and smoke can travel quickly – unless these risks are mitigated via appropriate design, manufacture, and installation.” More research required Additional research is required to understand how materials and combinations of materials/ components in modular buildings respond in the event of a fire. The report noted “very few Fire risks in prefab homes
Housebuilders score an additional £3bn
T he FMB has come out in guarantees available to builders to secure loans from banks and lenders. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “SME housebuilders have a crucial role to play in helping to deliver the government’s ambitious target to build one and a half million new homes over the next five years. In recent years, small housebuilders have faced a particularly difficult set of financial challenges. Diversification of the UK’s housing market is essential to deliver the number of homes needed. “Today’s government announcement support of the government’s decision to make an additional £3 billion in housing providing greater support for small housebuilders is welcome news. For the plans to succeed, it will be crucial that this lending is available for small housebuilders who need it most and can build the homes this country needs.” Government guarantees lower risk for lenders, which results in increased
Housebuilding schemes to unlock homes and boost growth in the £3 billion programme include: ● Doubling the ENABLE Build scheme to £2 billion so smaller housebuilders can contribute to hitting the target of 10,000 new homes, including more student accommodation and specialised housing for older people ● Reopening the Private Rented Sector Guarantee Scheme for Build-to-Rent developers, with nearly £2 billion available to ramp up housebuilding. To accelerate housing development, the government has: ● Committed to overhaul the planning system ● Created a New Homes Accelerator group to unblock thousands of new homes stuck in the planning system ● Introduced ‘brownfield passports’ ● Set up a New Towns Taskforce to create communities of at least 10,000 new homes each ● Given £68 million to 54 councils for housing on brownfield sites ● Awarded £47 million to seven councils for homes stalled by nutrient-neutrality rules.
industry standards directly applicable to volumetric
construction” so companies and practitioners “often design and manufacture bespoke systems that cut across multiple standards”. These different approaches to warranties, accreditation and certification create confusion when what is needed is commonality.
credit for housebuilders, which encourages more building work and economic growth.
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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