INCA Case Study: Falmouth – Whole House Decarbonisation

Project Overview

This was a retrofit scheme where we worked with OVO to design and deliver multiple retrofit measures to 42 Cornish unit houses in Falmouth, Cornwall. Achieve a SAP performance of less than 50kW/hrs per m2. The scheme included new roof, loft insulation, solar PV and upgraded consumer units, ASHP and full removal of gas from the property, new windows and doors and external wall insulation. We developed the scheme from concept to handover to residents.

During the development stage SERS were responsible in appointing and managing the design process including new EPC’s and Retrofit Assessments, coordinating PAS designs and appointing a Retrofit Coordinator and Designer by Ovo Energy on behalf of Cornwall Housing. The scheme obtained grant funding, and we utilised the Wetherby innovation EWI system which provided a 60 year system supplier warranty and was Ofgem approved which provided an enhanced funding rate for the client on the scheme too.

SERS initially undertook the retrofit assessments on site, however it quickly became apparent that to achieve the performance required from the properties the use of RDSAP would not provide suitable level of detail and therefore we had to convert the data into full sap and specific performance of each specific component of the building to build up a full thermal model of the properties to design them in more detail.

A full design was undertaken by the retrofit design under management of the retrofit coordinator appointed by SERS. We procured a supply chain that undertook their own specific designs and fed this into the overarching design and thermal performance model to finalise the outcome solution for the properties. Asbestos surveys were undertaken at the properties, applications for new electrical connections back into national grid were made, disconnections of the gas were applied for and party wall agreements were drawn up.

SERS were PC for the project with our site manager managing the works on site. Following the initial Pre-Contract meeting we produced a draft Health and Safety Plan incorporating Traffic management t in accordance with CDM 2015. Once the F10 was in place this will allow us to set up our site compounds and carry out detailed dilapidation survey and resident introductions.

We notified residents of start dates, site & compound location, key contact numbers with separate letters for scaffold erection. In addition, we will issued each home with awareness around site safety and what to expect during the works phase. We are happy to carry out Resident engagement events to explain the works and show them finishes/colours and programme in accordance with our customer engagement toolkit.

SERS engaged specialist contractors for the ASHP and Solar PV works due to location in Falmouth and were appointed through our onboarding process and ensuring that they were Trustmark registered for PAS installation as an Eco scheme in addition to all their mandatory accreditations to install their measures.

We also implement a Project Execution plan for the contract which detailed the following:

• Scope; defining client /project requirements including budgetary constraints
• Health and Safety. Review monthly audits
• Environmental assessments
• Resource; Project team roles & responsibilities and detailing resources required to meet the scope
• Time; programming
• Quality; meeting Clients requirements
• Risk; hazard identification and managing risks through the life of the project
• Community Benefits Plan
• Close call reporting
• Performance reporting – KPIs, continuous improvement

Construction Phase

The process of delivery of works will be broken down into key stages and all elements were be recorded on a weekly progress tracker and sent to the client each Friday.

SERS Site Manager will utilised our hand-held technology, set up to control the following:

• Erect Scaffold.
• M & E Adaptions
• Enabling Works (plumbing, electricals & meter boxes)
• EWI & Associated tasks (Trim, Boarding, Basecoat, Scrim, Beads & EWI Finish Roofs).
• ASHP and Solar PV
• Clean down,
• Strike Scaffold.
• Handover,

These packages were broken down into a series of hold points and gateways and only on successful completion at this hold point is the work allowed to continue, and each hold point is supported by photographic evidence to ensure quality control.

Site deliveries were planned and scheduled due to the tight nature of the site to ensure this didn’t block residents.

Management of contractors – Only suitably qualified personnel and sub-contractors demonstrating they have the necessary competence and resources to carry out their work safely are engaged to work on SERS sites. Sub-contractors are required to work in accordance with the SERS H&S policy, all workers will have site inductions including details of the relevant sections of the construction phase plan, site rules, specific site hazards and relevant RAMS and safe systems of work. Following their appointment, SERS monitored their subcontractors’ performance against agreed KPIs.

Any issues identified pre handover will dealt with immediately, each property is QA checked daily, identifying any issues or non-conformances that require rectification or attention, before stage work “sign off”. Contractor are monitored via KPI’s for quality performance, and if any contractor falls below contractually agreed standards and performance levels they would initially receive a verbal warning.

All SERS’ sites are subject to periodic audits by our internal compliance team, to ensure that processes on the site are being followed in accordance with SERS’ robust Quality Management Procedures, and highest industry standards e.g. PAS2030

Site managers use “a test and inspection regime” to record the quality of work. If any snags defects or remedials are found, they are then recorded and handed to each trade team to address within 48hours before they can to progress.

This inspection regime is supported by our internally appointed Compliance Manager and externally by the System Suppliers to ensure fitted correctly and support warranty issue post-handover. Our accreditation body may also conduct inspections to ensure we are operating to the required standard.

KPI’s

The project was delivered on time and to programme for the client. We also supported the client alongside the statutory provider’s utility works, enabling the new utility connections. To achieve the required programme requirements it was important to maintain communication and collaboration not just between the delivery teams, but also residents, access and any updates to access and work phasing. This ensured accessed was available when required and no lost time was experienced.

To maintain material lead times and supply, we worked with a number of supply chains to ensure materials could be ready for delivery in advance to further de-risk the scheme for the client.

We recorded customer engagement on the project with our TLO on the scheme, and received no resident complaints on this scheme, which highlighted the dedication to the project delivery team and work by the TLO with the residents to maintain communication and inform progress to residents.

Value Creation

SERS we able to de-risk the scheme with securing materials and building products in advance of requiring them on site and drawing down on them as needed. During a time of price increases and material shortages, this was critical to the success of the project both commercially and to achieve the key programme dates. By also using our extensive supply chain and direct labour we’re able to maintain the resources and staff to work alongside the material supply.