August 20th, 2009
Why install a different system?
Currently many in rural areas of France are having their fosse-septique tested for compliance, are receiving notification that their system does not conform and told that a new system must be installed within a set period. Not only does this involve a high cost outlay but also considerable disruption - both with the excavations themselves and also with what is then put in place, often large above ground sand filter beds which themselves have a limited life in terms of effectiveness as the sand gradually becomes polluted . The cost of taking this away (it cannot be cleaned on site) and replacing it may be as much as the original installation itself, not to mention the repeat disruption. Additionally there is the problem that the traditional system will have difficulty in complying with the new European directive for waste water CE mark EN12566-3 which applies to the whole of Europe. This sets down the standard to which waste water must be treated before allowing it to drain away into the land. How do you measure the quality of water that filters down through a sand filter bed straight into the soil?
So what is the alternative?
The ‘Diamond’ sewage treatment system is specifically designed for domestic properties not connected to mains drainage. With its unique design each self-contained plant offers high-quality discreet waste-water treatment tested and CE marked to the new European standard that can fit into small gardens without major disruption. The quality of the treated water means that the size of any soakaway can be drastically reduced and the design means that all that is seen is the small lid flush with the ground. All of this results in considerable cost savings when compared with traditional systems.
So how does the ‘Diamond’ system work?
The plant has no internal moving parts and is designed to ‘clean’ the wastewater to a standard of 20mg/l Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) by continuous bacterial digestion. This is activated by means of a small quiet air blower ensuring continuous and complete mixing of oxygen with the sewage. This oxygenation allows the various aerobic organisms that biologically degrade the wastewater contaminants to grow. A simple and natural sewage treatment system with measurable results as the water reaches the required European standard before it reaches the soakaway.
Can they be installed anywhere?
France has applied for additional time before conforming to the new European standard EN12566-3. but there is resistance to change in some areas who see the ‘Diamond’ system as only a pre-treatment system – even though it has measurable results to prove otherwise. But, as is often the case, there can be exceptions made where it can be shown that a traditional system cannot be installed easily. The point to consider is this- if a traditional fosse-septique is installed what happens when France eventually has to comply with the European directive and the wastewater standard cannot be measured?
PR3 Eco-Housing Solutions
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August 11th, 2009
Importing a timber frame kit house from America may, at first sight, seem an expensive and unnecessary option. Timber framed houses are manufactured by companies in both France and the UK so why ship so many miles across the Atlantic? There are a number of very good reasons why this can be both economical and ecologically beneficial.
Experience and Economy of scale
Approximately 85% of houses in the US are of timber framed construction. Design plans are purchased by the client and required amendments are discussed with the builder of their choice. Factories are geared to produce one house or even a hundred of any particular design depending on whether they are dealing direct with a self-builder or with a developer. Facings can vary, but the structure of the house can be erected, roofed in and tiled to provide a dry building environment enabling interior works to progress whatever the weather. It’s a proven process and an economical one. The forests are managed to serve the market and the timber used in the construction is slow-grown and extremely hard but comparatively inexpensive.
Shipping these kits in a container to France actually costs less than shipping across America and because of the factory set-ups labour costs in the US are far lower than those in France or in the UK.
High insulation values
The structure of the timber framed house allows for composite insulated external facings and deep external frame sections into which fibreglass insulation is inserted. The standard kits arrive complete with 6” (150mm) insulation for the walls and 9” ( 225mm) insulation for the roof space. They are designed for the extremes of temperature experienced in the US and so are perfectly suitable for all parts of Europe. Windows can include UV glass to prevent heat transmission in both summer and winter.
Design Choice
Though this may seem strange at first the client finds that he can choose not only his windows and doors but also his roofing tiles – mostly shingles, some of which have a 50 year limited warranty – far in excess of standard tiles. The outside facing of each house can be of brickwork, stonework, cedar or timber beam and rendering (faux- colombage) to blend in with local houses. Each kit comes complete with internal doors and frames, timber skirtings and even wardrobe doors. Internal layouts can be amended and the framing of all the internal walls are factory-fabricated as part of the building ‘dry-in’structure.
Conclusion
Many people have bought older houses and found that their dreams became a nightmare – costly to heat, often damp, small windows and room layouts that “don’t quite suit” This option allows the client to choose and build in features that will save future fuel costs and, of course, the nightmare of finding an artisan when most needed.
PR3 Eco-Housing Solutions
Tags: eco houses, house insulation, timber framed houses, wooden houses
Posted in Timber Framed Houses | No Comments »