Description: New build 32 bed residential care unit in Derbyshire for persons with severe autism
Client: HB Villages and Blackburn Council
ThermaSkirt Profile: EasyClean BM3
The Challenge
HB Villages is one of the UK’s most successful provider of assisted living apartments to local authorities and
one of the most progressive in terms of adopting new techniques and technologies.
HB Villages provide a custom built assisted living ‘centre’ allowing persons with both physical and learning
disabilities to live in comfort and with dignity, with on-site 24 hour care and assistance if and as needed by the clients.
This means that stretched council services can provide better care and management of people in their care at a lower cost
due to the centralisation of resources. Indeed the natural tendency of the residents to help each other on a day to day basis with simple
menial tasks that otherwise would require a carer to travel to the clients home means that a real sense of community is established and council resources
can go much further.
The challenge is delivering these units on budget, and also with an accurate 20 year prediction of operating
and maintenance cost that enable local authorities to invest better for the future.
Neil Mackrell of HB Villages explains:
“We needed to have a very clear idea of the ongoing costs of these centres, as well as ensure we deliver a safe and comfortable environment for the residents.
As some of them may attempt self harm, we have to anticipate and eliminate where possible all risks to the tenant.”
The use of LST radiators and their bulky covers was an ongoing issue that HB Villages were keen to address.
Neil goes on;
“We have had number of issues with radiators as they have to be anti ligature and so have
bulky covers that not only take up valuable space in a small apartment, but are a major trip and fall hazard
for our clients. In addition, if any fluids or worse are allowed into the covers, we have a major deep clean to
undertake otherwise smells and infection can really cause problems and huge costs. We needed to find an
alternative to the LST radiators”.
The Solution
Initially, underfloor heating was considered, but previous experience had shown that slow response times
can cause over and under heating, leading to distress to clients in many cases. In addition the need to dry
out the screed for several weeks, often by using temporary heating added significant hidden costs as well
as problems with final floor finishes lifting if hurried.
By chance, Neil came across the ThermaSkirt product whilst searching ‘alternative heating systems’ for his
mother’s home that was being refurbished. ThermaSkirt replaces the radiators and skirting boards in one
cost effective, energy and space saving package. He was delighted to find that DiscreteHeat had just
launched their EasyClean LST version of ThermaSkirt to a very receptive NHS and HealthCare sector. After
detailed evaluation of the advantages, Neil instructed their builders to swap the LST Radiators at their latest
development – despite being fitted in some cases.
Neil explains:
“Although the LST rads were already on site and in a few apartments actually fitted, I felt the
benefits to our clients of fitting the EasyClean product far outweighed the small additional cost of swapping
them out.”
By simply moving the 1st fix feed and returns, the builders were able to install the EasyClean instead of the
proposed MDF skirting and control it using the existing thermostat system designed for the LST radiators.
The EasyClean (and the larger EasyClean† for larger open areas) incorporates a security top strip that is
naturally anti ligature and prevents the system being removed without tools. The same top strip
incorporates a flexible edge that provides a seal to the walls to prevent ingress, and can also come with a
bottom lip that seals the system to the coved vinyl flooring for a simple deep clean when mopping the floors.
The EasyClean heated skirting frees up valuable wall space and creates a clean and comfortable apartment
The Result
Both HB Villages, Lifeways and the local authority are delighted with the finished look and specification of the apartments.
Running costs will be lower than with the LST radiators due to the EasyClean’s unique low temperature all
around heating pattern and because the system can be thoroughly cleaned with a simple wipe when mopping the floors.
Within 24 hours of the centre opening, Neil’s judgement proved to be vindicated;
Bedrooms and corridors also feature the EasyClean Heating system – safe, secure and naturally anti-ligature
“A client with learning disabilities became severely distressed and attempted to wreck his new apartment.
One of the few things to survive intact was the EasyClean. If that had been a radiator it would have certainly
been off the wall and the apartment flooded and out of service for weeks.”
With the apartment now quickly back in full service, the centre is quickly becoming filled with Local
Authority tenants, many of whom do not notice where their even, comfortable and controllable heat is coming from.
Concludes Neil;
“The EasyClean has been a real find for us, and the finished look and performance just superb. As a result we are specifying it on further projects.”
Update:
From: Neil MacKrell
Sent: 04 December 2019 14:13
To: Martin Wadsworth
Subject: Discreteheat in HBV developments
Hi Martin
As you know HBV became aware of your product following an installation in my mums house, which was not an easy install, but
has performed admirably even with furniture against walls. I was so impressed that we began installing in HBV developments and
we continue to do so.
We are big fans of the product, it performs exceptionally well, and in care facilities or apartments such as our supported living
units it answers the question of how to create additional space without the learning curve and very slow response time of
underfloor heating. To date we have completed 5 schemes with your products, we have one on site at the moment with the
electric version going in (which will be number 6), and we expect to be utilising you much more during the course of 2020. To
date I would also confirm we have had no user issues with the product all across all our user groups.
I more than happy if you want to pass this email or my details on to your client if they would like further information.
Kind regards
Neil
Neil MacKrell
Head of Construction
