Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Seven tips for designing a safe, efficient and comfortable family kitchen

2018-06-01T07:04:12Z

Suzanne Elly: Created page with "File:Kitchen Design.jpg After the family room, the kitchen is one of the most used places of a house. From its core functionality of being the space for cooking food, to a p..."

[[File:Kitchen Design.jpg]]

After the family room, the kitchen is one of the most used places of a house. From its core functionality of being the space for cooking food, to a practical place for washing utensils and dishes to an area where the family gets together and sits for a hearty meal. It is one of the most popular sociable spaces of the house.

Being the center of activity, comfort, and togetherness, the kitchen should be the cleanest, well-kept and well designed. So, if you are planning a new kitchen or thinking of a redoing the old one, here are the 7 tips to [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Top_five_kitchen_design_trends_for_the_housebuilding_industry design] a safe, efficient and a comfortable kitchen for a family home-

1. Overall Layout

As the kitchen is the place with fire, sharp gadgets and constant movement, it is important to have a [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Designing_a_small_kitchen#Think_about_layout right layout] for it. Thus, comes the ‘Golden Triangle' which involves the stone and oven, the refrigerator and the sink, the three points to be in proximity to each other i.e. at most three meters away. As people working in this space frequently move in these areas thus, the accessibility of all three should be of prime consideration in the layout process.

2. Island Design

The island acts as a showstopper of the [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Designing_a_small_kitchen kitchen] . Therefore, when choosing the right design for it, be mindful of its utilitarian intent and to not just make it an attractive piece of the kitchen. This place can be the center for entertaining guests and thus, should be spacious, with comfortable seating. Being accessible from all sides, the island can be of great convenience when serving food. It can also be used for additional storage space with drawers and cabinets fitted thereby, keeping the countertop clear of appliances and giving the kitchen a neat and tidy look. Depending on the size of the kitchen you can choose from popular kitchen island designs like the peninsula or U-shaped that is accessible from one end of the L-shaped or island layout, a good option because of it being approached from all sides.

3. Safe Appliances

It is important to choose safe appliances for your kitchen especially, with a house with children. Therefore, when selecting hobs, select induction hobs over the gas ones as it has no flame, and the surface remains cool during the cooks. Also, make sure they are energy efficient, ultra-quick and safe. As these hobs come with the essential safety locks, they are a good choice for families with young kids. Similarly, a safe oven should be well insulated and should not warm up the oven door from the heat. Likewise, get a built-in a microwave as opposed to having it on the countertop. This will keep away from any accidents as there will be no dangling of electrical cords. As the protection in the kitchenette is primary for anyone that works or uses it, pick the right and safe appliances.

 
4. Flooring

The kitchen flooring is often neglected in the designing of a kitchen. But, being the part of the kitchen that will be judged the most in terms of taking the heat pressure and its durability it has to complement the overall design. Therefore, remember these factors when deciding on the flooring-

* Maintenance- The best kitchen floor is the one that needs the least care. To keep it tidy, all one needs to do is a wipe and mop and it is cleaned.
* Durability– As heat from cooking and spills are a part of daily kitchen activity, therefore, select a durable floor that is long-lasting and does not need repair or replacement for an extended period. This means, even if you need to shell out extra money, do it now.
* Appearance– Since, the kitchen will be a busy place, give the floor the style and look that goes well with the surroundings and the appliances.

Therefore, for the flooring, the options are the classic hardwood floors that gives the kitchen a warm look are durable. Stone or tile too is a good option and are available in different colors and styles. For the budgeted look, vinyl flooring is good as it too adds to the aesthetic of the kitchen.

5. Storage

Having enough storage capacity in the kitchen is integral especially, with the open kitchen being a norm. Having sufficient drawers and cabinets makes for good storage space and even gives the kitchen a neat and less congested look. The deep drawers can be used for storing pots and pans while the shallow ones for cutlery. It is recommended having a separate drawer for sharp gadgets like knives, blades, cutters, etc. Also, having corner cabinets is a good idea as they maximize the usable space of the corner and can store things like spices, containers, etc. Also, have few locked cupboards for breakable items and also, for hazardous items like cleaning products under the sink.

6. Lighting

The fundamental of designing a kitchen is keeping it well lit. Lighting is necessary for smooth functioning as well as for the overall ambience. Therefore, along with artificial light have a source of natural light that can enter through the kitchen windows and glass doors. If possible, have them over the sink or the preparation area. Task lighting is important in a kitchen hence, have ceiling lighting for overall light; display or targeted lighting to illuminate a particular object or space like the glass-fronted cabinets and large chandler fixture over the dining table. Lights over cooktops or work surfaces should be direct and not create annoying shadows. It is advisable to have [https://www.electro-mech.com/team-sports/scoreboards-technology/what-exactly-is-led-and-why-is-it-important/ LED] lights as it is far more energy efficient and provides an identical light as compared to Halogen.

7. Electrical outlet

Another important point of consideration in the kitchen design is to have plenty of wall sockets. These are essential as kitchen gadgets keep upgrading and with smart technology in the kitchen making life easier buying them in something that will be ongoing. For instance, from making coffee on a stove to now using a new coffee maker that has a cord will require a plug point. Thus, we suggest have sufficient plug points.

Before doing any kind of renovation of your apartment it is advisable to contact [http://www.canonburymanagement.co.uk/Web/Index.aspx Canonbury Management], a leading specialist in the Right to Manage (RTM) process and Block Management. Their comprehensive and sophisticated block management service addresses issues like the setting of service charge levels, agreeing and undertaking large-scale Section 20 works, and even the arrangement of buildings insurance.

So, follow the 7 tips and design a kitchen that not only looks good but also, is safe, secure efficient and comfortable.

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Design]]

File:Kitchen Design.jpg

2018-06-01T06:57:40Z

Suzanne Elly:

File:Better home.jpg

2018-02-23T11:16:20Z

Suzanne Elly:

All you need to know about sheet piling

2018-02-16T09:35:08Z

Suzanne Elly: Created page with "File:Sheet Pilling.jpg [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Piling_sheet,_anchoring_equipment_and_trench_shoring_system_market Sheet Piling] is used to provide tempora..."

[[File:Sheet Pilling.jpg]]

[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Piling_sheet,_anchoring_equipment_and_trench_shoring_system_market Sheet Piling] is used to provide temporary and permanent walls, making it convenient for the construction industry. Sheet piling is used as excavation support and an soil retention. It creates a border which keeps the soil back, away from the structure.

Technical Details

These sheet piles are designed to interlock with each other. These are installed in sequence along the planned excavation perimeter. When arranged together, they form a wall for permanent or temporary earth support, along with anchors to provide extra lateral support.

Permanent sheet piles are designed to provide a long service life; installed with the help of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pile_driver vibratory hammers]. If the soil is too dense or hard, impact hammers are used to get the job done. Depending on the condition of the site, the sheet piles are hydraulically pushed into the ground.

These [http://www.geobond.co.uk/geobond-news/sheet-piling-faqs/#.WoVb_a7I7Qo sheet piles] are made of recycled steel, and the piles are usually reused for other purposes; making it the most sustainable option. If you don’t mind much water resistance, cold rolled sheet piling is relatively less expensive. 
 
How Does Sheet Piling Work? 
 
Usually, the material used to make piling sheets is steel, but wood and vinyl sheets are also used at times. The concept is to design narrow, interlocking sheets that can be connected and driven hammered into the ground to form a wall. The stability and strength are defined by the shape and material of the sheets. Steel is considered to be the most appropriate material if the requirement demands it to withstand large amounts of bending forces and pressure. 

Uses Of Sheet Piling

* When construction is taking place in a confined space, then temporary walls are used to prevent cave-ins; offering protection to the workers working in the vicinity of the area.
* In a home environment, sheet [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Piling_sheet,_anchoring_equipment_and_trench_shoring_system_market piling] is used as permanent walls as they provide stability and durability to the interior walls (especially basement walls).
* Pilling is also used to prevent floods to all structures close to shorelines.
* It protects the foundations of building from any water damage as well.
* It is used to support excavations for parking structures, basements, foundations, pump houses, and to construct cofferdams, seawalls and bulkheads. 

Types Of Sheet Piling

# Anchored sheet piles

Anchoring the sheet piles causes less penetration, which is economical when the height is less than 6m. It is because the anchor walls are pre-stressed that it removes the slacks from the system. It remains as it is until creep occurs. Anchor walls provide better back-slope subsidence because they undergo less lateral defecation. There are two major reasons for subsidence:

* If the anchor holes cave before grouting
* If the cohesion material flows into the excavation through the opening which was earlier made for anchor installation.

The anchors create a large gravity wall by holding the soil mass between the anchors and the wall in compression.

<ol start="2">
<li>Cantilever sheet piles</li></ol>

These are usually used for the height 6m or less than the dredge line. In all geotechnical practices, cantilever embedded retaining structures are used as sheet walls for temporary retaining structures and diaphragms & [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Sheet_piles pile walls] as permanent retaining structures.

<ol start="3">
<li>Cofferdams</li></ol>

When a bridge is being built, cofferdams are used, a temporary structure designed to keep soil and water out of the excavation. It provides a dry work environment underwater by sealing the structure with concrete to prevent water from seeping in.

== Advantages of Sheet Piling ==

There are many advantages of sheet piling construction, such as:

* It is light in weight, making it easier to lift and handle.
* It is recyclable and reusable.
* The pile length and design are easily adaptable.
* Their joints are designed to withstand high-pressure force required to drive them into place.
* It requires only a little effort to keep it maintained above and underwater. 

== Disadvantages of Sheet Piling ==

Along with many advantages, they also have a few disadvantages, such as:

* If the soil is rocky or has large boulders, it becomes difficult for installs sheets into it.
* If you are going to use vibratory hammers or impact hammers to installs the sheet into the ground, it may cause neighbourhood disturbance; vibrations are creating problems to the properties nearby.
* Most of the sheets are used as temporary structures to get projects like construction of roads or paths. After the project is completed, the sheets are removed. The process burns a lot of money. 

The Basic Construction Steps

* Arrange the sheets in sections to check if the piles will interlock correctly or not.
* Hammer each sheet to the defined depth as per the design.
* After the first sheet is placed, drive the second sheet so that it interlocks with the first one.
* Repeat the same process until the wall is completed.
* You can also use connector elements to maintain the integrity of the wall if it requires complex shapes.
* Use vibratory hammers for installation, but use impact hammer if the soil is hard or dense.
* You can also use hydraulics to push the sheets into place if vibrations are prohibited at that particular site.

[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]

File:Sheet Pilling.jpg

2018-02-16T09:18:50Z

Suzanne Elly:

How to improve indoor air quality

2018-01-23T06:24:12Z

Suzanne Elly:

[[File:Home-1680807 640.jpg]]

You cannot see, but sometimes you can smell the [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Indoor_air_quality indoor air pollution], that occurs from a variety of products, chemicals or even pets. Many of us spend most of our time indoors. The air that we breathe in our homes, in school and in offices contain some air pollutants that can affect our [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Health_and_safety_for_building_design_and_construction health adversely.]

By learning about pollutants, it will be easier to control some of the common pollutants found in indoor places such as homes or offices. It will also help to improve your indoor air and reduce the health risks related to indoor air quality (IAQ).

Common Pollutants That You Must Know About:

1. Radon- Radon is an odourless, colourless, tasteless radioactive gas that is formed in the soil and is the second prime cause of lung cancer. This gas enters your home through cracks and breaks or holes in floors and walls in contact with the ground.

Measures to Prevent:

* With a do-it-yourself radon kit, you can test your home. If the result indicates fixing then [http://www.properteco.co.uk/radon-reduction/ call a qualified and professional mitigation specialist] .
* During the construction of your new home make sure to ask your builder to include radon-reducing features.

2. Secondhand smoke- Secondhand smoke is also named as [https://healthunlocked.com/asthmauk/posts/132104838/environmental-tobacco-smoke environmental tobacco] smoke. It is made up of 2 forms of smoke first is Burning tobacco or mainstream smoke which is exhaled by a smoker and secondly sidestream smoke that arises from the lighted end of a cigarette, cigar, pipe or tobacco. Secondhand smoke can lead to cancer or can cause severe respiratory illness.

Measures to prevent

* Children are more vulnerable to secondhand smoke, to protect children from secondhand smoke do not let anyone smoke inside your home or car.

3. Combustion Pollutants- Combustion Pollutants are emitted from the burning of fuels. In homes, the significant source of combustion pollutants are improperly vented or unvented fuel-burning appliances including fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters, water heaters, gas stoves and dryers.

The types and amounts of pollutants emitted depend on the kind of appliance, how well the device or appliance is installed, maintained and vented and the type of fuel it uses. Common combustion pollutants are Carbon monoxide causes dizziness, headaches, nausea and fatigue and Nitrogen dioxide that causes nose, eyes and throat irritation and increases respiratory infections.

Measures to Prevent

* Use well-ventilated rooms for fuel-burning appliances.
* Make sure that all fuel-burning appliances are installed, adjusted, used and maintained well.

4. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)- Volatile organic compounds evaporate at room temperature and are released by a different range of products used in homes such as paints and lacquers, paint strippers, pesticides, dry-cleaned clothing, air fresheners, cleaning supplies and much more.

Volatile Organic Compounds are extremely hazardous and can cause nose, eye, and throat irritation, nausea, headaches, and can even damage the liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

Measures to Prevent:

* Make sure to read and follow all directions and warnings carefully on common household products.
* Ensure that there should be plenty of fresh air and ventilation while painting, renovating or using other products that may release VOCs.
* Never mix products unless it is instructed to do so on the label.
* [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Volatile_organic_compounds_VOC VOCs] , evaporate into the air easily when chemically contained products are used or when they are stored. So store the products according to the manufacturer's instructions.
* Keep all the products in a safe place, away from children.

5. Asthma triggers- Asthma triggers are usually detected in schools, homes, and offices and include dust mites, mould, pet dander and secondhand smoke. A home may have mould growing on pillows, blankets or stuffed animals, secondhand smoke in the air or cat and dog hairs on the carpet and floors.

Asthma triggers cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and breathing problems. Asthma attacks are severe and life-threatening. However, asthma can be cured with the right medicines and by eliminating asthma triggers.

Measures to Prevent:

* Do not let anyone smoking inside your home or car.
* Do the dusting and cleaning of your home daily.
* Water leaks develop moulds, make sure to fix water leaks and clean moulds.
* Wash sheets, blankets or covers every week in hot water.
* Use anti-allergy mattress and pillow covers.
* Keep pets off from soft furniture and out of the bedroom.

[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]

How to improve indoor air quality

2018-01-23T06:22:36Z

Suzanne Elly:

[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/File:Home-1680807_640.jpg https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/File:Home-1680807_640.jpg]

You cannot see, but sometimes you can smell the [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Indoor_air_quality indoor air pollution], that occurs from a variety of products, chemicals or even pets. Many of us spend most of our time indoors. The air that we breathe in our homes, in school and in offices contain some air pollutants that can affect our [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Health_and_safety_for_building_design_and_construction health adversely.]

By learning about pollutants, it will be easier to control some of the common pollutants found in indoor places such as homes or offices. It will also help to improve your indoor air and reduce the health risks related to indoor air quality (IAQ).

Common Pollutants That You Must Know About:

1. Radon- Radon is an odourless, colourless, tasteless radioactive gas that is formed in the soil and is the second prime cause of lung cancer. This gas enters your home through cracks and breaks or holes in floors and walls in contact with the ground.

Measures to Prevent:

* With a do-it-yourself radon kit, you can test your home. If the result indicates fixing then [http://www.properteco.co.uk/radon-reduction/ call a qualified and professional mitigation specialist] .
* During the construction of your new home make sure to ask your builder to include radon-reducing features.

2. Secondhand smoke- Secondhand smoke is also named as [https://healthunlocked.com/asthmauk/posts/132104838/environmental-tobacco-smoke environmental tobacco] smoke. It is made up of 2 forms of smoke first is Burning tobacco or mainstream smoke which is exhaled by a smoker and secondly sidestream smoke that arises from the lighted end of a cigarette, cigar, pipe or tobacco. Secondhand smoke can lead to cancer or can cause severe respiratory illness.

Measures to prevent

* Children are more vulnerable to secondhand smoke, to protect children from secondhand smoke do not let anyone smoke inside your home or car.

3. Combustion Pollutants- Combustion Pollutants are emitted from the burning of fuels. In homes, the significant source of combustion pollutants are improperly vented or unvented fuel-burning appliances including fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters, water heaters, gas stoves and dryers.

The types and amounts of pollutants emitted depend on the kind of appliance, how well the device or appliance is installed, maintained and vented and the type of fuel it uses. Common combustion pollutants are Carbon monoxide causes dizziness, headaches, nausea and fatigue and Nitrogen dioxide that causes nose, eyes and throat irritation and increases respiratory infections.

Measures to Prevent

* Use well-ventilated rooms for fuel-burning appliances.
* Make sure that all fuel-burning appliances are installed, adjusted, used and maintained well.

4. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)- Volatile organic compounds evaporate at room temperature and are released by a different range of products used in homes such as paints and lacquers, paint strippers, pesticides, dry-cleaned clothing, air fresheners, cleaning supplies and much more.

Volatile Organic Compounds are extremely hazardous and can cause nose, eye, and throat irritation, nausea, headaches, and can even damage the liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

Measures to Prevent:

* Make sure to read and follow all directions and warnings carefully on common household products.
* Ensure that there should be plenty of fresh air and ventilation while painting, renovating or using other products that may release VOCs.
* Never mix products unless it is instructed to do so on the label.
* [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Volatile_organic_compounds_VOC VOCs] , evaporate into the air easily when chemically contained products are used or when they are stored. So store the products according to the manufacturer's instructions.
* Keep all the products in a safe place, away from children.

5. Asthma triggers- Asthma triggers are usually detected in schools, homes, and offices and include dust mites, mould, pet dander and secondhand smoke. A home may have mould growing on pillows, blankets or stuffed animals, secondhand smoke in the air or cat and dog hairs on the carpet and floors.

Asthma triggers cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and breathing problems. Asthma attacks are severe and life-threatening. However, asthma can be cured with the right medicines and by eliminating asthma triggers.

Measures to Prevent:

* Do not let anyone smoking inside your home or car.
* Do the dusting and cleaning of your home daily.
* Water leaks develop moulds, make sure to fix water leaks and clean moulds.
* Wash sheets, blankets or covers every week in hot water.
* Use anti-allergy mattress and pillow covers.
* Keep pets off from soft furniture and out of the bedroom.

[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]

File:Home-1680807 640.jpg

2018-01-23T06:21:53Z

Suzanne Elly:

How to improve indoor air quality

2018-01-23T06:13:47Z

Suzanne Elly: Created page with "You cannot see, but sometimes you can smell the [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Indoor_air_quality indoor air pollution], that occurs from a variety of products, chemi..."

You cannot see, but sometimes you can smell the [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Indoor_air_quality indoor air pollution], that occurs from a variety of products, chemicals or even pets. Many of us spend most of our time indoors. The air that we breathe in our homes, in school and in offices contain some air pollutants that can affect our [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Health_and_safety_for_building_design_and_construction health adversely.]

By learning about pollutants, it will be easier to control some of the common pollutants found in indoor places such as homes or offices. It will also help to improve your indoor air and reduce the health risks related to indoor air quality (IAQ).

Common Pollutants That You Must Know About:

1. Radon- Radon is an odourless, colourless, tasteless radioactive gas that is formed in the soil and is the second prime cause of lung cancer. This gas enters your home through cracks and breaks or holes in floors and walls in contact with the ground.

Measures to Prevent:

* With a do-it-yourself radon kit, you can test your home. If the result indicates fixing then [http://www.properteco.co.uk/radon-reduction/ call a qualified and professional mitigation specialist] .
* During the construction of your new home make sure to ask your builder to include radon-reducing features.

2. Secondhand smoke- Secondhand smoke is also named as [https://healthunlocked.com/asthmauk/posts/132104838/environmental-tobacco-smoke environmental tobacco] smoke. It is made up of 2 forms of smoke first is Burning tobacco or mainstream smoke which is exhaled by a smoker and secondly sidestream smoke that arises from the lighted end of a cigarette, cigar, pipe or tobacco. Secondhand smoke can lead to cancer or can cause severe respiratory illness.

Measures to prevent

* Children are more vulnerable to secondhand smoke, to protect children from secondhand smoke do not let anyone smoke inside your home or car.

3. Combustion Pollutants- Combustion Pollutants are emitted from the burning of fuels. In homes, the significant source of combustion pollutants are improperly vented or unvented fuel-burning appliances including fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters, water heaters, gas stoves and dryers.

The types and amounts of pollutants emitted depend on the kind of appliance, how well the device or appliance is installed, maintained and vented and the type of fuel it uses. Common combustion pollutants are Carbon monoxide causes dizziness, headaches, nausea and fatigue and Nitrogen dioxide that causes nose, eyes and throat irritation and increases respiratory infections.

Measures to Prevent

* Use well-ventilated rooms for fuel-burning appliances.
* Make sure that all fuel-burning appliances are installed, adjusted, used and maintained well.

4. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)- Volatile organic compounds evaporate at room temperature and are released by a different range of products used in homes such as paints and lacquers, paint strippers, pesticides, dry-cleaned clothing, air fresheners, cleaning supplies and much more.

Volatile Organic Compounds are extremely hazardous and can cause nose, eye, and throat irritation, nausea, headaches, and can even damage the liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

Measures to Prevent:

* Make sure to read and follow all directions and warnings carefully on common household products.
* Ensure that there should be plenty of fresh air and ventilation while painting, renovating or using other products that may release VOCs.
* Never mix products unless it is instructed to do so on the label.
* [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Volatile_organic_compounds_VOC VOCs] , evaporate into the air easily when chemically contained products are used or when they are stored. So store the products according to the manufacturer's instructions.
* Keep all the products in a safe place, away from children.

5. Asthma triggers- Asthma triggers are usually detected in schools, homes, and offices and include dust mites, mould, pet dander and secondhand smoke. A home may have mould growing on pillows, blankets or stuffed animals, secondhand smoke in the air or cat and dog hairs on the carpet and floors.

Asthma triggers cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and breathing problems. Asthma attacks are severe and life-threatening. However, asthma can be cured with the right medicines and by eliminating asthma triggers.

Measures to Prevent:

* Do not let anyone smoking inside your home or car.
* Do the dusting and cleaning of your home daily.
* Water leaks develop moulds, make sure to fix water leaks and clean moulds.
* Wash sheets, blankets or covers every week in hot water.
* Use anti-allergy mattress and pillow covers.
* Keep pets off from soft furniture and out of the bedroom.

[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]