British Street Estate

The site, which in addition to the refurbishment of existing high and low rise buildings, includes the introduction of 185 new residential units, a new community centre and 6 retail units. The scheme was granted planning permission back in January 2007 and represents a landmark decision by Tower Hamlets Council: being the first to employ the Council’s emerging planning policy to allow a reduction in affordable housing units to be offset against a commuted sum to cross subsidise estate based improvements.

The 3.75 hectare estate, which currently contains 500 homes, was developed in the early 70’s and major investment was needed to bring the dwellings up to Decent Homes Plus standard. East End Homes, the registered social landlord who recently received the estate from the Council is investing more than £22m in a comprehensive package of improvements including new bathrooms and kitchens, enhanced thermal insulation and new security measures. They also have plans for the complete transformation of the environmental quality of the Estate, introducing over-cladding of buildings, green space enhancements and new childrens’ play areas. Nearly £10m will be contributed towards this work from the commuted sum received through the grant of planning permission.

Part of the transformation is a new community hall in which JG Speedfit Underfloor Heating System is being used as the method of heating. There are a number of reasons for this but the fact that underfloor heating will heat to just above head height and not waste energy heating large ceiling spaces in the main rooms was a big plus point.

The job involved the laying of 3,800 metres of pipe in 36 circuits across the 546m2 area. The circuit lengths varied from 37m to 100m, depending on how close the circuit was to the manifold. The large number of circuits required a total of four manifolds (two 12 port, one 10 port, and one 6 port) positioned in strategic parts of the building to allow for the most efficient use of pipe while making sure they are out of sight to minimise tampering post installation. Because JG Speedfit manifolds use a pushfit connection between pipe and manifold it makes installation quick and easy without the use of tools.

The design, layout, specification sheet and cutting list were all supplied by JG Speedfit Underfloor Heating Design Team. To make sure the installation went smoothly Speedfit’s Eastern Technical Support Engineer, Toby Howard-Willis spent time on site giving advice and tips to the installers of the plumbing contractor R G Taylor Engineering Ltd, and explained the processes and technical details to senior site management.

Returning to the site after his initial visit to explain how to install underfloor heating, Toby was amazed at the progress the team from R G Taylor Engineering Ltd had made and how neat the job was, “I can’t believe the team has managed to get so far so quickly” explained Toby.

As well as the underfloor heating Speedfit pipe and fittings were used in the drops behind the wall to radiators within the 185 new units on the estate. By using the JG Speedfit Radiator Plates, the pipe came through the wall behind the radiator, giving a much quicker and neater installation.

JG Speedfit is a UK manufacturer of push fit heating and plumbing pipe and fittings. The Speedfit Range has the solution for all your plumbing needs, including underfloor heating. Speedfit offer a compressive technical service with the highest level of technical support whatever the size of job. From high quality informative literature to a team of Technical Engineers on site and over the telephone, Speedfit will help you through every stage of the installation. If you have any technical questions please call the Technical Help Desk on 01895 425333 they will be happy to help you.