Uncovering hidden risks: Environmental risk assessments
With more developments taking place on brownfield sites, environmental risk assessments are becoming increasingly important to ensure schemes avoid potentially nasty surprises. Chris Loaring, Head of Consultancy at Argyll Environmental, takes a look
TRA releases updated roofing guidance for housebuilders
The Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) has published a new roofing guidance for housebuilders. How to Build Compliant Spandrel Panels, which is endorsed by the NHBC, has been updated to include information about single-skin cladding for spandrel panels
Secured By Design’s future – 30 years of crime prevention
After nearly 30 years of encouraging crime prevention techniques in both the landscaping of new developments and the physical security of buildings, Secured By Design (SBD), the national police crime prevention initiative, is poised to provide a wider range of initiatives than ever before to keep people safe
Government to consult on proposals to toughen testing for cladding systems
Stricter new rules designed to strengthen fire testing for cladding systems on residential buildings were published for consultation yesterday (11 April) by Housing Secretary Sajid Javid
The factors behind external wall insulation failures
With cladding under the spotlight, Paul Valentine, Technical Excellence Director at the British Board of Agrément, discusses the factors behind external wall insulation failures and how they can be addressed
PCA members offered Chartered status from CABE
Members of the Property Care Association (PCA) are now able to achieve Chartered status through a collaboration with the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
Dame Judith Hackitt hears considerations from industry working groups
Dame Judith Hackitt hosted a meeting of the Chairs of the working groups which were formed following the Independent Review’s interim report publication in December and Summit meeting in January
The Importance of SuDS
Chris Griffiths, Marshalls SuDS Marketing Development Manager, discusses the vital role SuDS plays in our built environment
The use of admixtures to waterproof concrete: Part 2
In the second of a series of articles on the use of admixtures to waterproof concrete, James McDonald of Cementaid discusses the need for clear and robust specification
Cavity Barriers in External Walls
Premier Guarantee’s Facades Technical Standards Director, Clive Everett, answers the most frequently asked questions about fire in buildings and cavity barriers in external walls
In the shadow of Grenfell
The Grenfell Tower fire has prompted a nationwide examination of cladding used on high-rise towers. But who is responsible for dealing with the cost of replacing potentially dangerous materials? Daniel Stern of Slater Heelis examines where the law stands.
Wall Ties and other Structural Repairs
The British Standard for wall ties – BS1243 was introduced in 1945 and was a ‘prescriptive’ standard – ie all ties had to conform to the approved design of the time, and the ‘butterfly’, ‘double triangle’ and ‘fish-tail’ were born
SFS hinges support timber door market growth at Grabex Windows
SFS high-performance hinges are supporting Grabex Windows as it experiences growing demand for timber doors
Building Tall with Underfloor Air Conditioning
By adopting floor-level services early on, designers can make use of this space-saving potential
