Building Services on the Costa del Sol

NATURAL VENTILATION OF BUILDINGS is generally categorised as:

1. Wind-driven cross ventilation, where pressure differences between one side of the building and the other draw air in on the high pressure side and draw it out on the low pressure side.
2. Buoyancy-driven stack ventilation, where cooler air enters the building at low level, is heated by occupants, equipment, heating systems and so on, becomes less dense and so more buoyant and rises through the building to be ventilated to the outside at the top.

Natural ventilation tends to cost less to build, operate and maintain than mechanical ventilation, and so THIS IS GENERALLY THE FIRST OPTION INVESTIGATED during the design process.

However, there may be circumstances where natural ventilation is not possible:
1. The building is too deep to ventilate from the perimeter.
2. Local air quality is poor, for example if a building is next to a busy road.
3. Local noise levels mean that windows cannot be opened.
4. The local urban structure is very dense and shelters the building from the wind.
5. Air cooling or air conditioning systems mean that windows cannot be opened.
6. Privacy or security requirements prevent windows being opened.
7. Internal partitions block air paths.
8. The creation of draughts adjacent to openings.

Designing natural ventilation can become extremely complex because of the interaction between cross ventilation and the stack effect as well as complex building geometries and the distribution of openings.

There are strategies that might include specific architectural features to promote natural ventilation through stack effect, buoyancy or wind driven ventilation such as ventilation stacks, chimneys, shafts or cowls, atria spaces or light wells and wind catchers, cowls or scoops, sometimes involving automation.

DAMP IN BUILDINGS

Excess water/moisture in all its forms (vapour, liquid, and flooding) is still the most common problem in housing. Damp in buildings may be apparent from:
1. Damp patches.
2. Mould growth.
3. Mildew, salts, staining and tide marks.
4. Damage to surface finishes, such as blistering paint and bulging plaster.
5. Corrosion and decay of the building fabric.
6. Slip hazards.
7. Frost damage.
8. Poor performance of insulation.
9. Damage to equipment, or electrical failure.

The most common causes of persistent damp in buildings are:
1. Condensation (surface or interstitial).
2. Rising damp.
3. Penetrating damp.

Successful treatment can only be achieved if the type of damp is correctly diagnosed. The complexity of existing buildings means that damp is very often misdiagnosed, leading to future problems, cost and disruption to the occupants.

If a problem with damp or mould becomes too difficult for you to deal with, it’s a good idea to get help from a professional.

AIR TIGHTNESS IN BUILDINGS

While air infiltration is not desirable, it is important for buildings to have sufficient purpose provided ventilation. Project teams should design and construct the building fabric to be reasonably airtight, and also provide natural or mechanical ventilation systems that maintain good indoor air quality while minimising energy use. In other words: "build tight, ventilate right.'

The benefits of air-tight buildings include:

Lower running costs through reduced heat or cold loss.
Fewer defects.
Reduced condensation.
Improved comfort.
Reduced carbon emissions.
Verification of build quality.

As well as building tighter, the rate of air infiltration is constantly changing depending on:

Direction and strength of the wind.
Orientation of the building.
Ventilation strategy – mechanical or passive.
Internal to external temperature differences.
Behaviour of occupants.
Frequency of use.
Maintenance of buildings.
Pressure differences between the top and bottom of the building (stack effect).

5 INFRASTRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT CAN HARM YOUR COMPANY'S REPUTATION

Introduction.
Good management skills, great hierarchy and working with integrity and work ethics can make your company’s reputation in the market. But upholding that reputation can be a difficult task. There are several factors which can damage a company's reputation, but few organisations realise that deteriorating infrastructure can be one of them.

Poor Company Banner.
If a company building does not display a banner or a hoarding with the company’s name, it can do serious damage to its reputation. The company operates as a separate entity which makes it highly important to uphold its name and also showcase it on the company building for clear identification. If a company displays a banner or logo which is tarnished or in poor condition, it can directly signify the condition of the company’s working environment which will eventually damage its reputation.

Lack of Staff Facilities.
A cafeteria or kitchen area is an important place for any business organisation because a company cannot expect the employees to be working every minute of the day. Since they need some time to relax and eat in a non-serious environment, a cafeteria provides just that to the employees and the company. It provides an environment for the employees which serves as a rejuvenation and relaxation point to help them work more efficiently.

Lack of Parking.
A successful business is one that attracts clients and keeps their employees satisfied. One of the aspects sometimes ignored by business owners is parking space, despite having great products and excellent services. Parking space shortages can cause problems for the business in the long run.

Poor Building Services.
The significance of air quality should not be ignored as it can have a harmful effect on employees health and comfort. Poor conditions not only affect concentration but reduce energy levels as well. It is essential in offices to provide proper ventilation to improve general comfort levels for the overall wellbeing and productivity of employees.

Lack of Space for Recreational Activities.
Employees are one of the most important resources for any business, and an organisation's success depends on the amount and quality of work they produce. This in turn depends on employees' satisfaction with their work and their social life in the workspace.

A lack of space is one barrier that can stop employees getting involved in social/recreational activities which in turn can have an adverse impact on work-life balance. A successful business is one that infuses enthusiasm and a positive, vibrant mentality among its workforce.

Conclusion.
When establishing a business, ensure there are proper facilities available for clients and employees. The needs of the business should be adequately researched and analysed. Infrastructural issues should not be allowed to damage the business.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR BEST HOUSE - NINE KEY FACTORS

Three primary principles - comfort, energy and environment - are the driving factors behind the best house. Within these principles, there are nine factors, each with qualitative and quantitative components.

Comfort:
Daylight.
Thermal environment.
Indoor air quality.
Acoustic quality.

Energy:
Energy demand.
Energy supply.
Primary energy performance.

Environment:
Sustainable construction.
Freshwater consumption.

BUILDING SCIENCE

'Building science' or 'building physics' is a broad term that refers to our knowledge of the physical behaviour of buildings and their impact on energy efficiency, comfort, health, safety, durability and so on. It is the application of the principles of physics to the built environment. An understanding of building science is vital if the design of buildings is to be optimised and the performance of buildings maximised.

Building science is concerned with the full life cycle of buildings from planning and design through to construction, facilities management, building pathology, conservation and demolition. It is a collaborative process that can involve disciplines such as architecture, civil, structural and building services engineering, and specialist fields such as acoustic, lighting, and so on.

This is a broader subject area than the related discipline of building engineering physics which considers in more detail the energy performance of buildings and their indoor and outdoor environments.

Building science can be interpreted widely or narrowly, however aspects of building design that might be considered 'building science' could include:

Climate and weather.
Façade engineering.
Building materials.
Building structures.
Passive building design.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
Natural and artificial lighting.
Building acoustics.
Moisture and condensation analyses.
Fire engineering.
Systems integration
Physiology and thermal comfort.
Smart building technology.
Sustainability.
Resilience to climate change.
Life cycle assessment.
Energy modelling.

COMPENSATED FOUNDATION

Compensated foundations are a type of deep foundation, which work on the principle that if the weight of material excavated equals the weight of the building added, the soil is subjected to no additional stresses. They are also known as ‘floating foundations’ as the structure acts in a similar way to a ship’s hull.

The relief of stress due to the excavation is approximately balanced by the applied stress of the foundation, resulting in a negligible net stress. As a result there may be little consolidation settlement experienced.

Shallow foundations are typically used where the loads imposed by a structure are low relative to the bearing capacity of the surface soils.

Deep foundations are necessary where the bearing capacity of the surface soils is not sufficient to support the loads imposed by a structure and so those loads need to be transferred to deeper layers with higher bearing capacity.

COMMON PITFALLS OF RENOVATION:

WRONG PROPERTY

The aim when looking for a property to renovate is to find one that isn’t in a condition that will require very serious work, or even rebuilding. It can be wise to commission a survey before making a bid, as this can highlight defects and structural issues that could make the investment more risky than expected. If it is an old building, it is important to check whether it is listed, or in a conservation area as this can limit the changes that can be made.

It can also be wasteful to purchase a property that is already in reasonable condition, as renovation works may involve removing items that still have life left in them, whilst only marginally increasing the value of the property at significant cost.

POOR COST CONTROL

It is prudent to keep a contingency sum of 10-20% of the remaining spend in case of emergencies (not just as a general 'slush fund').

In older properties it can be better to ‘make do and mend’ rather than spending on costly replacements.

In order to keep costs down and avoid misunderstandings over details, good communication between client and builder is vital.

Often people can make the mistake of ordering too few materials in the process of trying to keep costs down. Ordering extra materials can incur time delays and additional costs.

INCORRECT BUDGETS

Budgets are often over optimistic, as developers are keen to get on with the work. This can prove risky, as renovation is generally less predictable than new build, with many ‘hidden costs’ not being accounted for in the original budget.

Generally costs go up, whilst actual returns do not match expectations.

FOCUS ON UNNECESSARY WORK

Renovators can sometimes focus on the more cosmetic aspects of the project, whilst neglecting the more important structural issues that could end up being very costly.

In period properties it is sensible to adopt a ‘repair not replace’ approach, as retaining period features is often cheaper than replacing them, and they can add character to the property.

INCORRECT MATERIALS

Problems can arise when buildings are renovated using incorrect or the cheap materials.

So-called ‘miracle treatments’ can also be a problem when applied to older buildings. For example, spray-on renders and polyurethane foams can obstruct crucial ventilation paths in walls and roofs.

SPENDING OVER THE "MARKET CEILING"

There is a ‘market ceiling’ that applies to every location which dictates the maximum amount buyers are prepared to spend, regardless of the special features that can be added to a renovation project. It is important not to get carried away and fit features that exceed those expectations. Conversely, it is important not to spend money on misguided works that actually reduce the value of the property.

MAINTENANCE in MARBELLA - MALAGA

How maintenance can help:

1. Prevent the process of decay and degradation.
2. Maintain structural stability and safety.
3. Prevent unnecessary damage from the weather or from general usage.
4. Optimise performance.
5. Help inform plans for renovation, refurbishment, retrofitting or new buildings.
6. Determine the causes of defects and so help prevent re-occurrence or repetition.
7. Ensure continued compliance with statutory requirements.

For maintenance to be most effective, it should be organised through a programme of cyclical maintenance. At the most basic level this includes daily routines, and works upwards to periodic programmes of weekly, monthly, semi-annual, annual, quinquennial and so on routines.

Maintenance can be classified as:

1. Planned maintenance: Carried out on a regular basis, such as servicing boilers.
2. Preventive maintenance: Carried out in order to keep something in working order or extend its life, such as replacing cracked roofing tiles before inclement weather.
3. Corrective maintenance: This involves repairing something that has broken, such as a window or guttering.
4. Front-line maintenance: This involves maintaining something while it is still in use, such as repainting and decorating an occupied building.
5. Proactive maintenance: Maintenance work that is undertaken to avoid failures or to identify defects that could lead to failure.
6. Reliability centred maintenance: A combination of maintenance strategies used to ensure a physical asset continues to function correctly.
7. Scheduled maintenance: Preventive maintenance carried out in accordance with predetermined intervals, number of operations, hours run, and so on...

GLASS BRICK WALL

An impressive material which gives many possibilities!

BEST VALUE (Marbella - Málaga)

The term ‘best value’ refers to the most advantageous combination of the whole-life cost, quality (fitness for purpose) and sustainability (in terms of the economic, social and environmental benefits) available to meet client requirements.

An important aspect of best value procurement is the examination of prospective suppliers against a range of pre-defined criteria. Values can be assigned to factors such as price, past performance, relevant experience, technical ability, sustainability, health and safety, innovation, resource availability, management skills and systems, proposed methodology, and so on. The bid evaluation criteria and their respective weightings give expression to the perception of what represents the best value to the client. The supplier achieving the highest score may then be appointed.

Preparation of concept design before building of the house. What should we take into account?

Preferred style and materials.
Requirement for spaces to be open plan or enclosed.
Ability to operate parts of the building separately (for example an office, children’s areas or guest rooms).
Sound insulation and sound absorption requirements.
Provision of en-suite or shared bathrooms, dressing rooms and so on.
Accessibility requirements for people with disabilities or impaired mobility.
Access to and views of gardens and the surrounding landscape.
Entry spaces and reception spaces.
Fireplaces, wood burning stoves and so on.
Hard v soft floor coverings.
Security, intruder alarms, cctv, door and gate entry systems and post facilities.
Audio visual, ICT, entertainment and other equipment requirements.
Specialist requirements for finishes, fixtures and fittings.
Orientation in relation to the sun, prevailing winds and views.
Natural lighting.
Artificial lighting (general and feature) and controls.
Comfort conditions (radiant temperature, air temperature, natural and mechanical ventilation and so on).
Storage requirements and utility rooms.
Internal and external waste storage and collection.
The possibility of including enabling works for future extensions.
Galleries and balconies.
External landscaping such as; planting, seating areas, drainage, sprinklers and taps, lighting and power, paths, screens, fences, walls, shading and so on...

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Building technology encompasses; materials and their applications, physical properties, capacities and vulnerabilities; the functioning of components and systems; the principles, procedures and details of building assembly; operating strategies and so on.

In its widest sense, it can be considered to cover any skilled area related to the construction of buildings, such as:

Site investigations and surveying.
Construction materials, components, systems and techniques.
Building services.
Operation and maintenance.
Energy supply and efficiency.
Structural systems.
Communications.
Smart technology.
Sustainability.
Waste water and water management.
Building engineering physics.
Building science.
Prefabrication and offsite manufacturing.
Modelling and assessment.
Collaborative practices.
Research, development and innovation.
Construction plant.

We are here for all your Building and Home Renovation needs.
Phone number: +34699501246
Alexander

SOUND ABSORPTION (Soundproofing)
Marbella - Málaga phone: +34699501246

Sound absorption is the loss of sound energy when sound waves come into contact with an absorbent material such as ceilings, walls, floors and other objects, as a result of which, the sound is not reflected back into the space. Acoustic absorption can be used to reduce reverberation times.

Absorbent materials are sometimes categorised from A to E, where A is highly absorbent and E is almost fully reflective.

Sound absorbers can be divided into three main categories:
Porous absorbents, such as fibrous materials or open-celled foam.
Resonance absorbents, which consist of a mechanical or acoustic oscillation system, such as membrane absorbers.
Single absorbers such as tables, chairs or other objects.