Building Regulations News Roundup - November 2006

A brief synopsis of some of the key news items related to technical guidance, construction practice, and new regulations that you might have missed in the press.

Part B publication faces major delay
The final publication of the new Part B of the Building Regulations, which relates to fire safety in buildings, is expected to be severely delayed. It is understood that there is every likelihood that the final version of the document will not see the light of day before February 2007 at the earliest. This would leave architects and engineers in a state of disarray, as it would give them only weeks to prepare for the strict new regulations to come into force.
AJ Plus, 20th November 2006.

Abolish stamp duty on zero carbon homes, says Miliband
Environment secretary David Miliband has called on the chancellor, Gordon Brown, to exempt new zero-carbon homes from stamp duty. Miliband also said incentives built into the council tax system could be used to encourage home owners to cut emissions by installing renewable energy systems on site.
Building, 3rd November 2006, p.15

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force on 13 November 2006 (Asbestos Regulations - SI 2006/2737) bringing together the three previous sets of Regulations covering the prohibition of asbestos, the control of asbestos at work and asbestos licensing. The Regulations prohibit the importation, supply and use of all forms of asbestos. They continue the ban introduced for blue and brown asbestos 1985 and for white asbestos in 1999. They also continue the ban the second-hand use of asbestos products such as asbestos cement sheets and asbestos boards and tiles; including panels which have been covered with paint or textured plaster containing asbestos.
For more information see http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/regulations.htm?ebul=hsegen/20-nov-06&cr=6.

Enemies of wood
This article identifies the most common causes of timber attack and how they can be overcome.
Landscape and Equipment Magazine, Winter 2006, pp. 18-19.

Ikea seeks Gateshead approval
Ikea is about to enter the first planning application for its BokLok homes in Gateshead, another of the nine pathfinders set up by John Prescott in 2003. The flatpack homes will have their UK launch at the Building Centre http://www.buildingcentretrust.org/xplorer/exhibitions.html. The other pathfinders in Manchester-Salford, North Staffordshire and East Lancashire, are at varying stages in their plans for demolition and new-build. Further funding will be announced in next year’s Comprehensive Spending Review, and will reveal whether ministers remain committed to the programme.

Minerals planning
Minerals Policy Statement 1 (MPS1), Planning and minerals, has just been published. It is the overarching planning policy document for all minerals in England, providing advice and guidance to planning authorities and the minerals industry to ensure that the need for minerals is managed with respect to its impact on the environment.

MPS1 includes annexes on four specific types of minerals:

• aggregates
• brick clay
• natural building and roofing stone; and
• onshore oil and gas.

Also published with MPS1 is a Practice Guide, which sets out how the policies in the statement can best be implemented. To view MPS1 and the associated Practice Guide, go to: http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1504271.

Moayedi launches green invention
Paris Moayedi, the former Jarvis chairman and chief executive, claims that the newly developed Gas plasma system will transform the renewable energy industry and end the need to incinerate or bury household waste. The system converts organic matter into a flammable gas, and transforms inorganic matter into a solid that can be used as an aggregate. The energy produced by the gas can be used in district combined heat and power systems.
Building, 10th November 2006, p.14

New guidance on working with dangerous pathogens
The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) has published new health and safety guidance on how to control the risks posed from infections at work. ‘Biological agents: The principles, design and operation of containment level 4 facilities’ is aimed at those responsible for working with the highest hazard pathogens. It is based on the principles contained in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002. To view the report visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/web09.pdf.

On the radar
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is increasingly being used as a non-destructive investigation technique of historic buildings. GPR surveys have provided useful information in the rapid and non-destructive location of metal – such as cramps, dowels, beams and bolts – and in the measurement of the thickness of facing stones. This article offers recommendations for the design of surveys, the post acquisition treatment of the data, and the appropriateness of specific target types for GPR surveying.
Natural Stone Specialist, November 2006, pp.22-28.

Regs reform could exceed expectations
The news from the construction industry taskforce talking to the DCLG about improving the Building Regulations system, of which the RIBA is a member, is that a number of proposals for fundamental reform have been taken on board and are likely to be presented to ministers for consideration over the coming weeks. The RIBA is encouraging members to let the government know what they think about the current regulatory system on the online forum set up by the DCLG at http://forum.communities.gov.uk/achievingbuildingstandards which will remain open until 13 December 2006.
RIBA Practice Bulletin, 16th November 2006.

Renewables have to form part of a design from early on
With renewables, step one is 'don't bother', unless you have already done everything possible to cut energy demand. In almost every case it will be cheaper to cut emissions by designing-out energy demand.
Architects Journal, 9th  November pp.40-42.

Respect the U-values
Against the backdrop of the revised Part L in England and Wales, and proposed changes to the Scottish Technical Standard 6, this article examines the importance of U-values. It explores the potential impact mistakes in the U-value calculation can have if they are carried forward into whole building sum, and looks at how the industry wants to tackle this problem.
Roofing Cladding & Insulation, November 2006, p.28.

Slips and trips overtake falls from height as largest cause of construction injuries
The HSE’s Health and Safety Statistics 2005/06 report shows:

• the rate of reported fatal injuries (to all workers, including the self employed) in construction between 1999/00 and 2005/06 has reduced by around 36%;
• the rate of reported major injuries to employees in construction between 1999/00 and 2005/06 has reduced by around 22%; and
• the rate of reported over three day injuries to employees in construction between 1999/2000 and 2005/06 has reduced by around 31%.

Injuries due to slips and trips and manual handling have risen steadily over the past few years while those from falls from height and being struck by an object have been reduced.
In 2005/06 there were:

• 981 major injuries in construction caused by slips, trips or falls on the same level;
• 917 major injuries in construction caused by falls from height;
• 577 major injuries in construction while handling, lifting or carrying;
• 572 major injuries in construction caused by struck by moving, including flying/falling object.

The full report, Health and Safety Statistics 2005/06, can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh0506.pdf
Workplace Law, 7th November 2006.

See also NBS Shortcut No 6: ‘Slip resistance’ http://www.thenbs.com/BuildingRegs/NBSShortcuts/ShowContents.asp?section=006&topic=b_01_ASHCT_BR_00601.

Ventilation of school buildings
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has finally published Building Bulletin 101 ‘Ventilation of school buildings’. It deals with the design of school buildings to meet the ventilation requirements of both ‘The school premises regulations: 1981’and theBuilding Regulations Approved Document Part F: Ventilation. This Building Bulletin is an approved document (second tier) quoted in Approved Documents F and L2 (as amended 2006).

World Heritage Status ‘will not change planning laws' in Lake District
A bid to secure World Heritage status for the Lake District will not lead to tougher planning restrictions in Cumbria, the county council has insisted. Last week Cumbria Council gave its crucial approval to the plan, which is being spearheaded by the National Parks Authority. But the authority has now played down growing fears that the new status will trigger a rash of new planning laws in the region, which already has National Park status. A council spokesman confirmed: ‘It is our understanding that National Park status confers the highest planning protection. World Heritage Status will not add to that.’ The council’s backing has been vital to the heritage bid, which is expected to be submitted on 15 December. If the bid is successful The Lake District will join the Taj Mahal, Hadrian's Wall, the Great Barrier Reef and the plains of the Serengeti on the list of 800 World Heritage Sites.
AJ Plus, 20th November 2006.

Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
This is the HM Revenue and Customs site for the new Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) for contractors, which will replace the current scheme on 6 April 2007. It contains details of the main changes to the Scheme, guidance and links to other useful websites.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/new-cis/index.htm

Part L-pline
Corus Colors has launched the Part L SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) Advice Service, available to specifiers only through the Colorcoat Connection helpline. The advice line will provide details about how the SBEM programme can be used to calculate the CO2 emission levels for pre-finished steel-clad industrial or commercial buildings.
For further information see http://www.colorcoat-online.com/en/.