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SPECIFICATIONS

 

General Specification of all our Developments – we can offer a more bespoke development

 

Asbestos

  • Asbestos should not be present in the building.

 

Adaptations

  • There should be options to allow for adaptations to be made depending on the needs of the tenants.

 

Bathrooms

  • Preference for shower screens (subject to CP/commissioner preference).

  • No saniflow systems are to be installed.

 

Blinds

  • Blinds/window coverings should be provided to all windows.

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Communal Furniture

  • Furniture should be provided for communal areas – specification to be determined by needs of tenants.

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Furniture For Personal Use

  • Furniture packs (or sum) should be provided to allow units to be fully furnished (subject to budget and commissioner preference).

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Communal Space

  • Subject to client group/commissioner preference - enough space should be provided to allow for kitchenette, table and seating.

  • A separate bathroom with shower should be provided on the ground floor for use in emergency.

 

Decoration

  • Neutral decoration – greys/whites.

  • Non-slip flooring in bathrooms.

  • Waterproof flooring in kitchen areas.

 

Energy Efficiency

  • Minimum EPC Rating: C.

 

Facilities

  • Communal WC to be provided for staff, visitors and tenants.

 

Fire

  • Fire doors should provide 60-minute compartmentation to each unit.

  • Intumescent cold smoke seals to be included.

  • Door closers should be installed on all fire doors.

  • Means of escape for all habitable rooms.

  • Fire system should be to BS5839 Part 6 Grade A LD1.

  • Emergency lighting system to meet fire strategy.

  • Electricity supplies to automatic fire detection and alarm systems and emergency lighting shall be from a landlord’s supply.

  • Properly mounted fire blanket - kitchens.

  • Heat detector in kitchens.

  • All signage for escape, fire safety and health and safety must be provided in line with FRA and fire strategy for the building and be in place at handover.  

 

Heating/Hot Water

  • New boilers.

  • Low surface temperature radiators to be provided if required (subject to CP requirements/client group risks).

  • TMVs to be fitted to water outlets.

  • Cylinder immersions must be provided on all hot water and storage cylinders.

  • Standard boilers and water heating systems should be provided (Bosch etc) – units should be repairable by any boiler engineer.

 

Fireplaces

  • No gas fires to be present.

  • All open fireplaces should be adequately blocked to prevent use and vented.

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Intercom System

  • Intercom connection from reception to bedroom areas/flats should be provided – agreed to specification of care provider/commissioner.

 

Kitchens

Appliances to be provided (should be energy efficient appliances rated A or B):

  • Cooker.

  • Induction Hob.

  • 60/40 Fridge-Freezer.

  • Washing Machine.

  • Extractor Hood.

 

Recommended manufacturers: Neff, Bosch, Miele, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG.

 

Electric preferred.

 

No gas cookers.

 

Layout of Dwellings

  • No bedroom should lead directly off the kitchen or kitchen/diner.

  • Bedrooms must open onto a landing or hallway i.e. they cannot be accessed by going through another room unless an approved alternative escape is provided.

 

Lighting

  • No fluorescent lighting (only acceptable in the kitchen subject to prior approval).

  • The bathroom should have a ceiling pull switch.

  • External lights for pathways, decking, patio, entrance doors – connected to landlord supply.

  • Sensor lights to be provided in hallways.

 

Location

  • Safe areas with good transport links, adequate street lighting close to shops, cafes, community centres, parks etc.

 

Noise

  • Effective sound insulation should be provided.

 

Office

  • Space to allow for a staff ‘hub’, safe storage of files and for confidential meetings to take place.

 

Outside Space

  • Designated area for smoking – open-sided cover to be provided with non-flammable flooring.

 

Fences

  • Boundary fences to be provided – agreed with CP/Commissioners.

 

Parking

  • Adequate parking spaces for tenants / staff and visitors should be provided wherever possible.

 

Refuse Disposal

  • Adequate bin store to be provided where required.

 

Security

  • Final exit doors from building should release on sounding of fire alarm

  • Fob/Secure access to exit/entrance doors to building

  • Key pad locks to gates

  • Thumb-turn releases to all apartment exit doors and final exits from building

  • A CCTV system should be provided that links to a central monitor located in the staff area. The monitor should allow staff to zoom in.

  • Burglar alarms where fitted will have a 20-minute cut out and a nominated key holder

  • Each flat shall be provided with a lockable post box situated on the ground floor in a lobby or hallway accessible to the postal delivery service (unless the flat has its own front door accessible directly from the exterior)

 

Sizes

  • As per the Technical housing standards – nationally described space standard:

 

*Where a 1b1p has a shower room instead of a bathroom, the floor area may be reduced from 39m2 to 37m2, as shown bracketed.

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Sockets

  • Location/number to be agreed per layout of rooms.

  • A separate fused spur outlet for the cooker should be provided.

 

Structure of Premises

  • A full condition/structural survey should be provided – any structural works deemed to be necessary during the term of the proposed lease must be renewed/resolved e.g. roof.

  • There must be no evidence of leaks or damage to the soil or waste pipes and seals at ground level must be good.

  • Inspection chamber covers must be accessible, in good condition and easily removable for maintenance.

  • The Council may require the landlord to carry out a drain survey (including underground drains) if there is any doubt about the condition of the drains.

 

Utilities

  • Each dwelling must have its own electricity, gas and water meter.

  • Isolation points are required with stopcocks and switches clearly labelled, easy to reach and accessibly located within each property.

  • The meters should ideally be in one location outside of individual dwellings for easy access. The location must be lockable.

  • Electricity meters and fuse boards and gas meters located on escape routes, such as fire exits, stairs or communal hallways need to be located in a fireproof cupboard and the latter should also be vented to the exterior.

 

Gas

  • Co3 monitors should be fitted as per guidance.

 

Windows

  • Must be double-glazed as a minimum.

  • must be fitted with window restrictors.

  • Glazing/frosting should be provided in bathroom windows for privacy.

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