BREEAM

The main premise of sustainable procurement is to optimise building performance through efficient operation and ease of maintenance.  This includes the scheduling and provision of appropriate FM training and associated materials.

Horne products are designed for exceptional thermostatic performance (which facilitates energy savings) and with ease of maintenance in mind.  In addition, we can assist with training sessions and regularly provide certificated face-to-face maintenance training sessions that address commissioning, operation and maintenance of Horne TMVs, shower valves and, where relevant, the Optitherm thermostatic medical tap. Please use our contact form to request on-site maintenance training for your team.  Online training, using video tutorials, is also available via the Support & Maintenance section of this website.

10) The building is designed to be fit for purpose, appropriate and accessible by all potential users

11) An access statement is developed.... a) Disabled users; addressing and proposing design solutions that remove obstacles that define disability.

Horne manufacture a number of shower products that are specifically designed for disabled users to facilitate independence and greater dignity.  Colour contrast of different components (e.g. black dot - slide bar release mechanism) assist users with impaired vision and shaped and moulded levers aid operation of the shower controls for users with limited hand mobility.  The contrasting shapes, markings and function of the flow (quarter turn lever) and temperature (360° rotation) controls also assist users with impaired vision.

This category relates to the full life cycle of building components from Design, through Manufacture, Extended Service Life (Operation & Maintenance) and End of Life material recovery.

Design for an extended lifespan: Specify appropriate and quality materials for robustness and enhanced operational performance - such as optimised strainers to protect the valve mechanisms and downstream fittings - and design-in ease of product, and water system, maintenance.  This is a central theme in all Horne designed products.

Manufacture: Keep installation costs low - use enhanced specification products that are assembled and performance tested off-site by the manufacturer.  Horne TMVs can be provided with inbuilt isolation valves, which means fewer connections are required to be made up at installation.  Horne surface mounted shower panels are pre-plumbed and pressure tested in our factory and so installation on-site can be very quick and easy - it only requires hanging on the wall surface and connecting the water supplies. The Optitherm thermostatic tap is a single unit hosting a thermostatic mixing valve, a hot water tap and a cold water tap, that is easily affixed to IPS panelling and the water connections made up.  Installation is therefore fast, easy and simple to cost when using Horne products.

Operation: Design-out maintenance or reduce maintenance frequency and include systems to facilitate safe, efficient and cost-effective operation.  Flow regulators or restrictors in basin TMVs and showers contribute to cost effective operation. Horne shower panels are specifically designed for ease of access for maintenance - low level isolating servicing valves are accessible from floor level (Work at Height regulations no longer apply).  The Optitherm thermostatic tap is also fully accessible from tile side and there is no need to remove wall panelling, which has Health and Safety implications for the FM providers involved as well as potential risks to patients.

Ease of Maintenance:  All Horne products are designed for safety and ease of access for maintenance and are also designed to facilitate easy maintenance of the water systems using the Flushing kit (see also HEA 04 Water Quality).  Low cost spares and accessories further extend their operational life.  Maintenance procedures do not require any specialist skills, but technical assistance is offered via our technical helpline, online maintenance training and face-to-face maintenance training seminars.

End of Life: Horne products may outlive the operational life of a building and are easy to decomission, remove and install elsewhere for reuse. Otherwise, disassembly into the constituent parts and materials for reuse or recycling is straightforward and contributes significantly to cost recovery.

This section of the BREEAM document requires compliance with other guidance documents concerning the control of Legionella: HTM 04-01, L8 ACOP and CIBSE TM13.

Maintain hot water supplies around 60°C and then blend down with a Thermostatic Mixing Valve to 41°C at the point to discharge to avoid scalding.  Avoid water stagnation by designing in greater turnover of cold water and reducing mixed water dead legs.  Horne's bi-modal shower range can be used for able bodied users and for those requiring supervision or assistance, therefore usage and water turnover can increase.  The Optitherm thermostatic tap is both a mixed water tap and also a dedicated cold water tap - every operation for either cold or hot water discharge will draw cold water through to drain and reduce stagnation.  This also means that flushing operations for the sole purpose of removing stagnant water can be reduced and thus also contribute to reducing water consumption.

Regular system flushing, at higher velocities than during normal use, is also required to dislodge biofilm from the internal pipe surfaces and remove it to drain.  This procedure helps to improve water quality and is easily achieved using a Horne Flushing Kit, which is available as an accessory for all Horne TMVs, showers and the Optitherm.

Up to 5 credits are available for this category and relates to reduction in water consumption by using water efficient fittings compared to standard fittings, which are expressed as discharging 12 L/min.  A 40% reduction in water usage will earn 3 credits, a 50% reduction earns 4 credits and a 55% reduction will earn 5 credits.

Horne shower panels all feature integral 7.8 L/min flow regulators or flow restrictors, which govern the rate of discharge over a range of supply pressures. Timed flow controls can also be specified to reduce water wastage when a shower is inadvertently, or deliberately, left on.

The Horne 15 TMV is supplied with a 7.8 L/min flow regulator for fitting at the mixed water outlet and, in the case of the H15 4th Connection, for the outlet connecting to the cold water tap.

The Optitherm thermostatic tap is fitted with a combined flow regulator and flow conditioner in its outlet.  The flow regulator delivers water at a rate of 6 L/min, which is adequate for effective handwashing.  The flow conditioner promotes laminar flow of the water from the spout into the basin - minimising splashing and avoiding aerosol formation.