HEALTH & SAFETY
INFORMATION PACK
FOR
HOME OWNERS/OCCUPIERS
1 – 4 Curran Close
Malvern
WR14 2TW
Court Property Developers Ltd
Priors Court
Callow End
Worcester WR2 4TJ
Postal Address:
1 – 4 Curran Close
Malvern
WR14 2TW
Plot numbers are the same as house numbers.
Please re-direct any post for the developer to the address shown below. No stamp is needed on re-directed mail.
The Builder and Developer is
Court Property Developers Ltd
Priors Court
Callow End
Worcester WR2 4TJ
Telephone 01905 831 778
Email info@courtproperty.co.uk
Web site www.courtproperty.co.uk
Buildmark warranty cover is provided by NHBC.
NHBC reviewed the plans for the development and inspected the development at a number of key stages. They issue the Buildmark Warranty on residential properties.
The NHBC policy refers to the site as: L/O Davenham Close, Adjacent 16 Davenham Close, Malvern WR14 2TY (the old post code before the new code was issued).
Your solicitor will have the NHBC documentation.
The policy runs from the date of legal completion of your purchase of the home.
Building Control
The Local Authority (South Worcestershire Building Control Partnership) reviewed the plans for the development and inspected the development at a number of key stages and was responsible for ensuring that the development complies with the national Building Regulations and other relevant specifications.
Foundations
Concrete strip footings
External Walls and Party Walls/Separating Walls
External walls are full masonry construction.
The external face is brick, Wienerberger Abbeydale Red Multi 65mm.
The internal skin of the external wall is modern Timber Frame.
Stone window cills are Forticrete T1-40 Portland stone stooled cills (via Bradfords Builders merchant)
Internal Walls/partitions
Internal walls on either side of the hall are generally load-bearing. Other internal Walls are non-load bearing.
Do not make any structural alterations without advice from a structural engineer.
Care must be taken when drilling walls to fix shelving etc, to ensure that any holes are clear of power cables or gas pipes. Use suitable fixings.
Electric cables generally run up, down or at right angles to plugs and sockets. Use a cable location tool (available from DIY stores) to locate electric cables.
Other services, such as gas and water will run in wall spaces.
Floors and Ceilings
The ground floor is concrete beams suspended on the foundations, with a void below.
Aircrete insulating blocks are laid between the beams, with insulation on top of the blocks, providing a very high insulation value.
Liquid screed is laid on top of the insulation.
There are no services in the ground floor.
Ceilings are plasterboard secured to joists.
Roof
The roof is tiled with Marley Ashmore smooth grey. Roof ventilation is via the ventilated ridge and breathable roof membrane. Tiles are supported on roof trusses.
The loft space is not designed to take any significant weight and cannot be used for any sort of habitable use without the advice of an engineer.
Any work on the roof should only be carried out by qualified persons to avoid the risk of personal injury caused by falling from the roof.
Insulation
All external walls, roofs and ground floors are insulated to reduce energy consumption. The cavity in the timber frame is fully insulated between the Timber Frame studs, with a clear cavity between the Timber Frame and the brick outer skin.
The first floor and all internal partitions are insulated to reduce sound transmission.
SERVICES
Within the home gas, electric and water run in the walls and ceilings.
Underground services such as Gas, Electricity, Telephone, Water, and Sewage are within the development. They are buried at a depth to avoid accidental damage during normal activities.
Gas, water, electricity and telephone come from Davenham Close.
Foul and roof water is taken around the houses and then in a combined sewer down the path towards Sling Lane.
A storage/attenuation tank is buried behind plot 1 with a flow discharge valve. This stores roof water in the event of an extreme storm and allows it to enter the public system at a controlled rate to avoid surcharging the public network.
Attached are schematic plans of the underground services. Take care when doing any excavation or deep digging especially if near electric cables – some of those cables are high voltage.
The gas and electric meters are on the external wall of the utility room.
Water meters are at the entrance of Curran Close (in the hammer head with Davenham Close.
Water enters each home under the kitchen sink, where there is an isolation valve.
Services are colour coded as follows:
Mains Water blue pipe
Rainwater black pipe
Electricity black ducting
Gas yellow ducting
Telephone: the house has internal wiring for telephones. BT Open Reach will connect the house when the occupier calls off a telephone line.
The following suppliers were nominated by the developer. It is possible for owner/occupiers to change these suppliers to reduce costs and/or to improve service:
Telephone to be nominated by the home owner
Electricity E.ON
Gas British Gas
Water Severn Trent water
You are particularly advised to look at your electricity tariff.
The tariff applied to the developer is unlikely to be the most suitable one for new homeowners.
TO REPEAT: YOU MAY BE WASTING MONEY I
F YOU DO NOT SWITCH SUPPLIERS.
There are services on the web which help you choose a more suitable supplier, such as www.uswitch.com
Location of stop valves and main switches are:
WATER - MAINS
Mains water enters under the Kitchen sink, with a mains stop tap.
The water meter is underground, accessed through a circular lid in the pavement at the entrance of Curran Close and covered with insulation.
An outside tap is provided.
GAS
The gas meter is set in the wall on outside of the house.
A Stop Valve is in the Gas Meter box.
Any alterations to the gas installation must, by law, be made by a qualified person.
ELECTRICITY
The electric supply enters the meter box, which is set in the wall on the outside of the building. An isolation switch is provided in the meter box.
A Distribution box is mounted in the house, with main switch and trip switches.
Power sockets are protected by Residual Current Devices (RCD’s). Test operation every 6 months using the test button.
Most alterations to the electrical system must be made or approved by a suitably-qualified person.
DRAINAGE - FOUL
The foul sewage is connected to the public system in the Sling Lane.
Manholes are provided at junctions/changes of direction.
RAINWATER DRAINAGE
Rainwater from the roof goes into the combined foul/rainwater system as described above.
The surface of Curran Close is Clee Hill 14mm chippings retained in plastic grid on geotextile membrane on permeable stone.
RAINWATER GOODS + MAINTENANCE
The guttering and down pipes are black uPVC.
Gutters must be kept clear of leaves and debris. Some maintenance companies use a back-pack vacuum cleaner with a telescopic tube to clear high gutters. They may also have a camera which checks results.
Any accessible Gulleys at the base of down pipes should be kept clear.
DRIVE, PARKING, PATIOS
Chippings: (14 mm grey from Clee Hill quarry)
Slabs: Stonemarket Market Stone, Natural sandstone, Sahara Multi, from Bradfords Builders Merchant
Block Paviors: Stonemarket Permapave block paving, Burnt Ochre
TV
A terrestrial TV aerial is provided in the loft with outlets in key rooms.
Sockets for Satellite TV are provided in selected locations, including a dual feed as required for Sky+.
TELEPHONE
Wiring for telephones is provided inside the home. BT will connect their line when the home owner orders the line from their chosen supplier.
Occupiers must arrange their own telephone connection.
Waste collection and recycling
The MHDC currently supplies a black plastic bags for land-fill waste and a wheelie bin for recycling.
A stock of bags will be provided by MHDC, together with a list of the items that are recyclable.
Refuse collection day is Thursday, from the roadside. Recycling is collected fortnightly starting Thursday 2 March 2017. (You can check delivery rounds here: http://swict.malvernhills.gov.uk/mhdcroundlookup/ ).
Keys
Keys are provided for the front entrance door, any French doors.
Keys can be copied by most key-cutting services.
Fire Protection
Inter-linked smoke and heat alarms, operated by mains electricity and with battery back up, are located in the home. Ensure that any protective plastic bags covering the units are removed.
These should be tested regularly and cleaned using a vacuum cleaner periodically.
Check operation of smoke alarms using the test button as specified by the manufacturer.
Never assume it is a false alarm; always check.
Burglar Alarm
An alarm is not fitted as standard. If an optional Yale battery-powered burglar alarm is fitted, PIR’s usually cover the lounge and hall. The alarm would be left unarmed and the owner should set the appropriate personal code and arm the alarm as required.
Roof timbers
These have been designed to support the roof.
Appliances
Various appliances were fitted as standard in your home, and user manuals are provided in your home. If lost, manuals can usually be downloaded from the web.
It is your responsibility to complete any warranty cards for any appliances. This is the most important method to ensure that you get warranty cover for any problems with appliances and to establish the start date for the warranty. Some items have extended 2 year warranty which is dependent on the completion of the warranty card.
In the event of a problem, check the operating manual. If it appears to be a fault, call the service centre to book a call/visit – the number will be in the manual or related documentation. Service Centres will not usually respond to calls from the developer, only from the home owner.
Make sure you have the serial number and product type/number to hand.
Please follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance and servicing.
Heating
Water heating is by gas boiler. The gas boiler has been set to come on at certain times to ensure hot water temperature is maintained. The optimum times for such top up depend on your lifestyle. Times can be easily changed on the boiler Timer/Programmer. Even when the boiler is set to come on, it will not operate unless the water temperature requires it.
Space heating is by the gas boiler.
The gas combination boiler is in the Kitchen or utility room. When operating it produces a plume of steam, more pronounced in cold weather. This is normal and shows efficient operation.
Hot water is mains-pressurised. The temperature can be varied – read the instruction booklet carefully.
The boiler provides heat for the central heating system as well as hot water. A programmer controls the times when the central heating operates and when the hot water heating comes on.
Service/maintenance contracts are recommended for all boilers and for mains-pressurised systems.
The programmer and timer are located near the boiler.
There is a room thermostat to control temperature downstairs and a separate room thermostat to control temperature upstairs plus thermostatic radiator valves on main radiators.
A manifold for the connection of all radiator pipe runs, together with a motorised valve, is provided in Nos 1,2 and 4 in the loft space above the kitchen (accessed through the loft hatch in the kitchen) and in Number 3 above the boiler in the utility room.
The timing for the boiler CH operation is the manufacturer’s default timing. You should check if this is suitable to your needs. Gas consumption can be reduced by correct programming and use of thermostats.
Ventilation & condensation
Extractor fans are provided in the kitchen, WC, bath room and en suite.
Trickle vents are provided at the top of some windows. These are designed to allow fresh air to enter. These vents should be left open. Closed vents can lead to inefficient ventilation and condensation.
The extractor fans run constantly at very low speed. The extraction rate is boosted when a light in a wet room is switched on or is manual boost/oer-ride is selected in the kitchen. Do not isolate (switch off) extractor fans
This house is extremely air tight. This is a major difference from traditional houses which have a high level of air loss (ie energy loss). If mould appears on walls, it is most likely caused by insufficient ventilation due to closed trickle vents or non-operative extractor fans.
Moisture, which can lead to condensation, is produced by people when they breathe, by boiling water, by bathing or showering, and when an open gas flame operates, such as the gas hob. Warm air contains more moisture and therefore can produce more condensation when it cools. Unless this moisture is removed to the outside, it will condense on cool surfaces (producing damp/moisture) and, in extreme or prolonged circumstances may create mould, especially in areas of low air circulation, such as corners, behind furniture etc. Surfaces which can be relatively colder than other parts of the house include windows, sanitaryware, metal fittings, ceramic tiles etc.
Trickle vents and extractors are used to avoid this problem.
The possibility of condensation is higher in the early months of occupation, as all the water used in the build process has to dry out. When weather conditions allow, it is recommended that windows be left open to improve ventilation whilst at home.
Windows
Windows are uPVC, with argon-filled, double glazed units. Safety glass is used on and near French/patio/glazed doors.
A stay or restrictor may be provided on some windows to prevent opening beyond a short distance. The window can be fully opened by releasing the restrictor.
Windows, when open, can be slid to one side to allow cleaning of the outer face from inside the room.
Trickle vents on windows must left open to aid ventilation and to reduce the risk of condensation. See section on “Ventilation”.
Internal Finishes, extras, options
Internal doors are Premdor 5 panel Vertical.
The front door is a high efficiency/security ie a steel-panelled door on a hardwood frame with a thermal core in a hardwood frame; and French Doors are uPVC.
Standard paint is:
Walls + ceilings Walls = Johnson Jonmat Matt White emulsion
Ceilings = Johnson Jonmat Matt White emulsion
Internal woodwork Dulux Trade New Work gloss white
Floor & wall covering
Floor tiles:
Bathroom, en suite, Nimbus Blance
WC Nimbus Silver
Kitchen #4 + 2 Nimbus Silver
# 1 Engineered Oak Fast Fit, single plank 180mm from Howdens
#3 Nimbus Caliza
Wall tiles Jersey Mix feature and Jersey Nieve
Shower panels Mermaid Trade Panels Silver Dusk
Tiles from Porcelanosa. Shower panels from Bradfords.
Ironmongery (door handles etc) Carlisle Brass Andros satin chrome on long plate.
Kitchen 1 + 2 Eton Gloss Cream units
Blocked oak Laminate worktop + upstand
Cupboard handles 12D Broad Arch Handle (128) SS
Kitchen tap code 323212 Kisdon mono bloc mixer
Neue Built-in Fridge/freezer, gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher
Korona 1.5 bowl ss sink
4 Holborn Gloss Light Grey units
Apollo slab tech 20 mm satin grey work top + upstand
Kitchen tap code 323212 Kisdon mono bloc mixer
Neue Built-in Fridge/freezer, gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher
Opal 1.4 bowl undermount sink
3 Soho Gloss Cream units
Apollo slab tech 20 mm pebble work top + upstand
Kitchen tap code 323212 Kisdon mono bloc mixer
Neue Built-in Fridge/freezer, gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher
Opal 1.4 bowl undermount sink
Above supplied by Benchmarx
Slot-in washing machine + tumble drier in utility
Other
The home has a private shed/bike store (unless deleted by the purchaser) and allocated parking spaces as marked.
It is the responsibility of the home owner to maintain landscaped areas.
The path from Curran Close to Sling Lane is owned by the homeowners.
Title is Freehold.
Manuals etc included in this pack
Please take care of these manuals and file them for future use. If there is a problem, please refer first to the manual before proceeding.
REMEMBER TO COMPLETE ALL WARRANTY CARDS!
Some items need maintenance – please read all brochures to understand any requirements. Failure to maintain may invalidate warranty.
NHBC Cover Note (your solicitor will have the full policy pack)
Local Authority Building Regulations Completion Certificate (Inspection completed and approved; certificate to follow)
EPC/Energy Certificate
Gas Safe (previously Corgi) Building Regulations Compliance
Boiler commissioning certificate (in the Boiler user manual, towards the rear)
Electric Installation Certificate
User guides for all the appliances in your home, warranty cards etc have been left in your home:
Boiler installation
Boiler user guide
Burglar alarm guide if approprite
Washer/drier or Washing machine and Tumble drier as apprepriate
Smoke alarm user guide
fridge/freezer
Oven
Hob
Cooker hood
Dish washer
All with warranty application forms and energy labels.
NOTE: Some of the above may be needed if/when you want to sell your home