FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
RENOVATION WORKS
Flood damage remains an issue along the river, so as well as investing in greener technologies, works are being undertaken across the lock keeper estate to improve insulation and increase resilience to the changing climate.
Because it is easier to carry out renovation works while the properties are between tenants, when Boveney lock in Buckinghamshire was between tenants, the team took the opportunity to add floor insulation to reduce black mould and improved the roof insulation to 300mm to reduce heat loss. The 40mm wood fibre ceiling insulation (a sustainable solution) has reduced heat loss, heating costs and carbon.
Says Forster: “We’re looking at a programme of external wall insulation which is quite a bit more complicated in terms of the appearance of the houses but we’ve also done smaller works, for instance we insulated the bathroom in the Sonning house.
“Our aim is to not only ensure these properties are managed sustainably but we can keep them going. We’re conscious that by concentrating on even the smaller projects we can make a huge difference, all of which is so very important to our employees and private tenants, the community and the environment.”
As every FM appreciates, no matter the scale, every step counts when it comes to meeting sustainable goals, and the works that the EA are undertaking on the Thames lock keeper housing illustrate how building sustainability into every project is helping improve the lives of residents while helping to meet net zero goals.
