Sunday 15 December 2019

The Building Resistance Matrix Programme (BRMP) aims to help reinforce, repair and insulate vulnerable buildings and gardens to endure climate change

 "Buildings will also be particularly affected by the effects of climate change: storms, flooding and seepages, reduced durability of some building materials and increased risk of structure damage or collapse (e.g. from severe storms) could all decrease building lifetime, while increasing health-related risks such as deteriorating indoor climate." (The GABC Global Roadmap)[16]
Deep energy retrofit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_energy_retrofit

Many UK and global buildings may not be resilient enough to survive extreme weather conditions caused by climate change, especially as flooding and wind speeds increase. This is detailed in recent article like this.and this

These same buildings are often of poor build quality and not insulated well enough to reduce energy loss effectively to meet future environmental targets attempting to address climate change.

The Building Resistance Matrix Programme  - BRMP is an idea by Paul Ridley Director of Cabinz CIC / Reuseitecture to help to reduce these problems. One major barrier to reinforcing & insulating buildings is cost.
Cabinz CIC helps reduce these costs by supplying their stock of over 5 million high quality fixings at a fraction of the normal cost to groups, who can use sourced materials to build and install frames and panels to reinforce and insulate buildings.
They have a regular supply of these low cost fixings, which can be directed to support the BRMP.

Small sheds, green houses, animal shelters and fencing will be targeted first as they are often exposed to high winds in isolation in sites such as allotments and gardens. These can become projectiles to damage houses and people in high winds.
Raised beds can be built reusing materials to resist flooding and protect agriculture for food security.

Cheaper reused materials can be used to strengthen them as such shelters do not usually require building regs. or planning permission under permitted development.

Cabinz CIC has recently supplied 2.7 tonnes of screws and fixings to some of  the 31 members of the Community Wood Recycling Network who are a great source of low cost reusable wood.

Designing  and installing systems to reinforce and insulate houses and commercial buildings takes more time and finance.

In addition, insulated sheds, lean-tos and greenhouses with curves walls attached to houses, can deflect strong winds and perhaps be attached to roofs to resist winds lifting them off..  

Cabinz CIC, is a social enterprise, that has raised funds to stock several million new, high quality screws and fixings in stock. These are available to attach to frames and insulated panels to buildings, which they can sell at very low cost.

The aim is to encourage:

1. Reinforcement of brick wall buildings
Strengthen existing buildings to resist increased forces on them from climate change using MMC to form modular composite structures outside and / or inside .

Brick walls are strong in compression, but weaker to other forces, so panels, frames and structural insulation are added to reduce this problem.

If funds are available, new building materials can be used to make the panels. If not, to reduce cost and save waste, offcuts & reused building materials may be used, (see point 4 below on Reuse) but this may require changes to building regs / planning permission

1a. Vine Covered Trellis or Plant covered Walls using Reusable Composites & Wood for Reinforcement.

Wood and composite plastics can be used to 'green' walls. Cabinz partners have reused composite plastic to reinforce fences and walls here 

Birds & insects can be returned to urban environments by thriving in vines & creepers on wall and fence trellis', which also have the benefit of insulating / strenthening the wall or roof 

2. Reinforcement of Roofing
Wall( top) plates and roof trusses can be reinforced with threaded bar, galvanised straps & bolts.
Cabinz CIC can supply these at low cost and has sold several thousand metres of  clearance stock , low cost composite plastic and metal roofing sheets. These suppliers can supply local groups with sheets direct, and Cabinz can supply fixings.

3. Insulation
Insulating  buildings to reduce climate change via energy loss reduction with composite panels, Structural insulated panels (SIPS) and additional frames if required.

Internal wall insulation is effective, but reduces internal space. One solution may be the mass installation of thin but highly efficient Vacuum insulated panels  (VIPS).  Unfortunately Vips are expensive, so a Gov. owned factory to reduce costs may be necessary.

4. Reuse
This is a massive undertaking to do on a large scale, both financially and in resources. To reduce cost & construction waste, the reuse of new offcuts from manufacturers and reusing materials such as wood and composite plastics for frames and insulation is essential.

Cabinz have experimented with low cost methods of frame construction such as cladding wood & composite plastic (that cannot be recycled only land filled )

Dry lining metal stud and track adds extra strength at low cost and also adds extra fire resistance.
Remanufactured low cost paint from our partners at Community Repaint schemes  is used to extend the life of timber frames and reuse paint.

We have bought primary domain names such as www.Re-use.com & www.Reuse.co.uk to encourage material reuse in this area. Other groups have been contacted to help with this strategy in partnership. 

5. Expansion
Modular buildings/pods can be added to the outside and inside of buildings to strengthen/insulate/ improve them.
Green houses and insulated storage sheds or work spaces can be added to the outside of buildings under permitted development, creating much needed extra space or built on top of garages to deflect high winds over roof eaves.


6. Securing Projectiles like Tiles and Fencing in Strong Wind and Flood
Property owners have a duty of care to protect neighbours and passers by, and may be liable for storm damage to property from projectiles  Extra work securing these items may be required.

7. During Reinforcement & Repair, Using Building Materials to Capture Carbon are an opportunity to reduce climate change
As detailed in this article new materials are being developed to facilitate this

Cabinz has just started a sister project, the  'Shelter and Hardware Bank Network' (SAHBN)  which aims to help build these small shelters by working with other grass roots groups.
Cabinz CIC have sold over 250 tonnes of composite plastics for reuse which would have been land filled, these were mainly insulated panels for work spaces, sheds & greenhouses

Materials can usually be reused under permitted development to build these structures and require no planning permission or building regs.      

The combination of the first two points, means that if the structural reinforcement is not ever needed due to a reduction in the threat of climate change forces, the insulation with provide an energy saving layer anyway.  


We are looking to partner with groups to supply building materials to, or possibly collaborate on research, design, manufacture.

Frames and panels can be installed to retrofit or modular buildings can be built to replace them entirely.
If you are interested in collaborating contact us at cabinznet@gmail.com






 

Monday 25 November 2019

Screws & Fixings Donations to Mens Sheds in Wirral, Flintshire and cheshire

Screws & Fixings Donations to Mens Sheds and Scrapstores in Wirral, Flintshire and Cheshire  



To promote the launch of the Shelter Hardware Bank Network, Cabinz
have distributed 180 kg of new screws and fittings to Ellemere Port, Chester & Higher bebington (recently opened) Mens Sheds, Halton play Council scrap store in Runcorn & Woodwork to Wellnesss in Saltney.

Thank to Timco for the donations and Wates for some funding to make this possible 






Visiting Food Refill Stations at Waitrose in Botley Rd Oxford. Cabinz are working on something similar with screws and fixings





















Thursday 7 November 2019

Packaging free screws & fixings available at the Brighton Wood Stores' Refill Station, supplied by Cabinz & SAHBN

Packaging free screws & fixings available at the Brighton Wood Stores' Refill Station. Supplied by Cabinz Cic & SAHBN

A wide selection at low cost in small amounts if required, from high quality supplier Timco and others.  

Re-sorted from split boxes, returns and over runs to reduce cost and for environmental benefit 


Bring your own pot or put them in your pocket.







Saturday 28 September 2019

Job Lots of 3 to 4 tonnes of sapele hardwood from Conservatory kit parts for sale in Chester at very low cost to community groups / social enterprise

Cabinz are helping to clear this. It is being offered in min quatities of a van load / approx. 1 tonne to clear. It is in a mixture of lengths / profiles

It has been stored outside for   several years, but as treaed apele hardwood , it has not rotted on discoloured in places . metal IBC stillages / cages available for £10 (cage only, no inner plastic bottle)

See more Pics at link

https://re-usecom.blogspot.com/2019/09/3-to-4-tonnes-of-sapele-hardwood-from.html

Email cabinznet@gmail.com if interested 




Sunday 22 September 2019

Mini Shelter Bank Update 22-9-19 after launch of 'Shelter and Hardware Bank Network' (SAHBN)

Aug 2019
Launch of 'Shelter and Hardware Bank Network' SAHBN
....................

Press Release Link : from


"Shelter Banks" Similar to Food Banks.
Providing Building Materials For Outbuildings, to People Squeezed Into The Smallest Houses in Europe


The Uk Property market has been in crisis for many years. The new concept of Shelter Banks, aims to help ease a part of that crisis.

They are similar to Food Banks in the Uk, but distributing, re-used & re-manufactured building materials that have been donated or bought in bulk at low cost.
The shelters built with these materials, may be storage sheds, greenhouse or insulated garden offices for small businesses.

To facilitate this, building materials are stored in a warehouse and collected by local people, or posted to target low income groups, individuals or small businesses over a wider area.

Some materials will be free, but it depends on the amount of resources, funding & donations available, as to whether materials will have to have a small charge. If so, due to low overheads & donator support, they will much cheaper than normal retail prices.

In the future, it is hoped to offer complete shelter kits, training  & tool hire.

Shelter Banks differ, compared to normal building material re-use projects. Shelter Banks specialise in supplying materials to build small outbuildings under Uk Permitted Development Rights.
They do not usually require planning permission or building regulation if under 30 sq m & 4m tall with a dual pitched roof. This allows a wider use of materials, some which are often free.


Cabinz believe demand is high as property rents remain extremely expensive in the Uk & Europe, while wages are static or falling.

Record numbers of young adults are living at home with parents. squeezing families into smaller spaces, despite as studies finding British homes are the smallest in Europe

Access to materials for a shelter for groups to use during the day for work or leisure, will improve their mental & physical health.

Popular websites like Instructables & Make are producing a generation of creative youngsters not afraid to use hand tools

The Shelter Banks concept was conceived by Paul Ridley, Founder of The Cabinz Project (www.Cabinz.Net )
 A re-use  & re-manufacturing based community group operating out of 1000 sq foot unit in Saltney, Chester.

Cabinz works with insulated panel manufacturers to re-use their off cuts, They has distributed over 70 tonnes for community benefit, saving landfill space.

Paul Ridley and a team of volunteers have decades of experience in the  community & commercial re-use sector. They aim to seek funding and support, to start a Shelter Bank.
Advice is also sought from international re-use groups.

For more info, contact Paul Ridley, founder, Cabinz Project

cabinznet@gmail.com

Blog & info. www.Cabinz.net

Further info will be posted at ShelterBank.co.uk when available

.....................................


Sept 22 2019
Publishing of 'First draft of the proposed Mini Shelter Bank (from 2017)'


Aim 

To supply a portable IBC cage containing components to make a very low cost basic shelter, that is fire & insect resistant, such as as a storage shed or greenhouse.

These materials can also be used to repair sheds or cover garden veg / plants. The use is up to the customer, but we ask that off cuts etc are disposed of in a sustainable manner  


Prototypes of such shelters are linked below

  Prototype Wedge Block Shelter with Grp Window Cladding & Composite Door Edge Off-Cut Frame / Corner Brace 


Rot & Fire Resistant Base for Shed, Garden Office or Decking (DES) in Grp Fibreglass Plastic from Composite Door Edge Strips 


cabinz-prototype-shelter-endures-80-mph winds 



Method

The IBC should be chained to a fence or wall from the top of the cage  to avoid the wind tipping it over (unlikley) or it getting stolen

Estimated quantites in the IBC

The Ibc will contain 

1. opaque grp fibreglass sheets (image rerquired)

30 -40 sheets of grp fibreglass sheets of 2 - 2.5m length, stacked upright.

2-2.2 m lengths are required for walls, 2.2-2.5m for roof


2. Door edge strips (DES)  - 2.012m long  x 45mm thick x 25-40mm wide

These are produced when a composite door blank is cit to size.

Made of a fibreglass skin with fire resistant plastic core, they vary in width from 5-40mm, but 25 -40mm are suitabel for frames. 

Thinner ones can be bent into curved shapes 

Approx. 50 -100, stacked upright in the IBC

DES - Door Edge Strips (image required)


3. Corner braces (image rerquired)


4. Screws 


Cabinz uses drywall screws for the prototype frame & corner braces , 


 thicker 100-120mm screws for joining corners of frame (for extra strength)

Roof screws with rubber was her connect grp sheets, although dry wall screws can be used 


Perhaps these could be connected in packets to the outside of IBC. 


5. Hinges & other fixings

cabinz can supply them 

For profile gap , it can be filled with camper mat type foam or expanding foam 


6. Costs

tbc

subject to change over trial evaluation 

screws will be pennies, 

hinges £1 a pair 
  

7. Floor 

can be made of pallets with ply wood  / osb sheet 

If insulated required Cabinz make a panel ( 2 required for 6' x 6' shed ) for £13.90 each 

see link 



Insulated Panels GRP Fibreglass Skin Fire Resist Foam Core 1 x 2m x45mm 7 Colour £13.90 


8. Footings  - Tying the frame down to the ground. 

on concrete, raw plugs / bolts & injection resin can be used . Cabinz can supply from Wickes stock  originally bought from Recipro .


On grass, a tent peg can be made from DES or bent rebar used. This can be collected by cabinz from local scrap yd  

Edit: update. Dec 2018 par We now have several hundred Metposts , that can hammer into ground for foundations on each corner

Basic tent peg test from grp / plastic composite door side off cut.  


9.. Health & Safety

Below is not safety advice, just informal comment 

The shelters I designed in 2m x 2m size have minimal cutting, but glasses & a mask must be worn if cutting.

i am told by door factory that dust in cutting off cuts are an irritant, not hazardous  .  

Using the flat pallets as step is a good secure platform for screwing roof 

please be aware that he above is a draft experiment  / guide & subject to change at any time

10. Tools 

An electric / screw driver & jig saw or small angle grinder are required for assembly 

Alternatively, a  hand screw driver & hack saw may be used 

For the sake of comparison , i enclose below the cheapest plastic sheds & greenhouses on ebay 6' x 6' from £250 -£350 

Safety PVC Greenhouse Green 1.8m (6x6ft) Steel Frame 

Shed Base £49 


Keter Apex Plastic Garden Shed 6 x 6ft OUR PRICE only £349.99 COLLECT wf119hs 


 Used wood frames or sheets can be used instead of plastic from suppliers like members of Community Wood Recycling

Best paul ridley 

Cabinz CIC  / SAHBN
3

Friday 13 September 2019

'Shelter and Hardware Bank Network' (SAHBN) Launch - Press Release : 17/8/19 by Paul Ridley of Cabinz CIC


'Shelter and Hardware Bank Network'  (SAHBN) Launch

Press Release :  17/8/19 by Paul Ridley of Cabinz CIC

Cabinz CIC announces the formation of possibly the worlds' first shelter and hardware distribution network, which aims to encourage the creative reuse of materials to build different types of shelters  with a supply of new and used fixings and building materials, that are not usually available at low cost.

If you are on a low income and need food you go to a Food Bank. if you need materials to make a small shelter or make things reusing local material you should be able to go to a 'Shelter and Hardware Bank.

This originally comes from a 'Shelter Bank' idea by Paul Ridley 2.5 years ago.
 Initially, building materials will be sold at low cost by reuse projects, but if funding is secured, it is hoped that items can be given free to low income groups & individuals following relevant referrals.  

Cabinz CIC have been funded for a year by selling and donating hardware, and have an estimated 3 million + items in stock to distribute for economic and environmental benefits . 
They do not wish to grow any bigger and will now pass future resources to other groups from suppliers in the form of a network. 

Timco have donated 1 metric tonne of fixings to help kick start this network, Cabinz CIC have donated 1/2 tonne. The first 1/2 tonne of fixings is being delivered to   Brighton Wodd Store / Community wood recycling Network and Magpie Coop  / Shabitat in Brighton on 23rd Sept

Not for profit groups can contact Cabinz CIC for consideration if they need fixings at cabinznet@gmail.com

Further updates on the SAHBN network can be found at www.Reuse.co.uk.  

These fixings come from split boxes, returns and clearance stock from large manufacturers such as Timco, Wickes and Travis Perkins, that may otherwise be recycled or land filled. 

Cabinz distribute the hardware with support from construction companies like Wates, Galliford Try and Flintshire Council. Organisations such as Wood Stores  Scrapstores. Men in Sheds and Allotment groups have been invited to be members of the network .
Cabinz has piloted the sorting of mixed screws as a 'safe space' therapy activity with local charities, Woodwork to Wellness and Autism Together  and this network will build on this

Plastic Reuse
A recent boost to the project has been access to 2500 small boxes at very low cost, allowing delivery to users with packaging inserts made from reused plastic bottles

Cabinz CIC have also been working for over year with Recipro, a paint reuse hub to reuse their used plastic paint pots for storing and posting fixings. Plastic ice cream tubs are also collected for reuse from the Wepre park cafe.

This plastic reuse leads on from other Cabinz initiatives like Shelter Banks. In 5 years Cabinz have reused over 230 tonnes of composite plastic door off cuts from Vista panels Ltd that cannot be recycled, only reused or land filled.
These have been used to build  organic chicken coops, green houses and insulated sheds

When contacted, staff at the Museum of the Royal Mint said it was an 'interesting idea'.

About Cabinz CIC
Cabinz CIC, a 5 year old social enterprise in Saltney, N. Wales, near Chester has been working for over year to launch a project to distribute new, high quality screws & fixings to umbrella groups to pass onto low income groups, individuals.and small businesses . Cabinz also work on crime reduction initiatives 


Thank you for your interest and support 

 Please donate HERE

Paul Ridley
Coordinator Cabinz CIC & Founder SAHBN


Thursday 15 August 2019

Experiments in Reusing Plastic Bottles for packaging screws & nails or other sharp objects

Note: of course . it would be easier to just fill the bottle up with nails / screws, tape the lid and post or store them without a cardboard box., and this is often possible if contents are ok to be visible.
However,  it may be best to hide the items from eyes in the post service, and boxes stack easy on a shelf, cylindrical bottles on their side don't .

Bottles are slow to fill with screws though a small top hole, it is better widened. If posting with  a reused bottle only , its best to use a 2L water / pop bottle as they are stronger.

 Although not ideal, we recommend for strength, the use of  fibreglass reinforced tape for strength in this case of sealing lone bottles sent through the post    

On the plus side, cardboard is recyclable. The plastic bottle inner can also be used as a screw holder to take to the job in hand and will not get soggy in the rain like a card box if used outside

Taped lid plastic  / wax covered paper coffee cups with lids can also be used to hold screws, then inserted into the box (not pictured) though they will not be as strong as the bottles IMO

PICS 

Top - 4l milk bottle with top cut off , then top folded in to seal opening
Middle - Same as above but more top cut off (4 slits can be cut in sides at top to aid folding )
Bottom - Top cut off 2 water bottles, top then folded over .

 Contents of box  & parts cut from bottles

Parts cut from bottles (find another use ? )

 1/2 kg of screws will fit in 2 water bottles in box & 1/4 kg of screws pack will fit within 1 bottle
(screws not shown) 





For sharper / heavier contents, a second bottle base sleeve on the other end is used 4L & 2 L shown



Close up


In box



"""



Contents shown apart 


2 Litre water bottles, cut almost in half, then inserted inside each other.
Plastic cap is left on (not shown in pic)  


 For a slightly smaller box. the bottle is cut almost in half, then cut again around the bottom of the opening stem.
A plastic coffee cup lid is placed inside the cut open top to stop screws falling out inside the box


Alternatives 
A pop bottlte cut in half,
one fitted inside the other
drill or use a hole punch to make 2 holes in the side
 Tie 2 used straws together, then thread though holes and tie straw ends together  


 Instead of tying together, straws can be trapped by lid screw thread




If there is concern of  straw pulling through the holes, the top edge of the bottle can be folded over &
holes drilled through 2 layers  



Sunday 11 August 2019

Maximising Cardboard box use by Subdivision & Combining with Reused Plastic Windows to see Screws Inside

Following on from our other idea :

 Ideas for Reusing Packaging Bottles & Cartons for Re-packing or posting Sorted screws & fixings

 We have bought at very low cost, 2500 new small single wall cardboard boxes & are experimenting to pack screws in different sizes / weights.
We have been offered several thousand more boxes, which we will offer for sale for 8p each if there is demand


Maximising Cardboard box use by Subdivision into smaller boxes & Combining with Reused Plastic Windows to see Screws Inside


 First attempts at resizing to 500 g  & 250g size boxes, an extra cardboard or plastic bottle
 panel is inserted into top , then taped

a sample screw is taped under tape to show contents . Usually a label showing weight / size is attached to end

If the lid is transparent, a screw is not taped on lid

Simplest is to cut box in half & use 1 half as lid like a traditional screw box (on left) .



 Alternative view
 Box  cut into 2 (lid cut slightly smaller than base to avoid lid touching shelf ) to form lid & base, with one fitting over the other (slight corner pich needed to make base smaller than lid to fit

 Range of boxes used inc reused cleaned plastic ice cream containers

 Side view

 opaque lids from 2 L milk bottles, so screws can be seen inside 


 Close up



Reused carpet card tubes are used to store heavier weights of screws .
(New) A reused plastic cup lid is placed inside the tube, to protect the card end
 from  sharp screw end punturing them/   

Proposal for 'Gap Rooms' to Create a Storage Solution to facilitate Reuse for Overfilled Garages in the UK, as an Alternative to Garden Rooms

  Proposal to Create a Storage Solution to facilitate Reuse for Overfilled Garages in the UK, as an Alternative to Garden Rooms Introductio...