Building Regulations News Roundup - February 2007

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.

Appointment Agreements to go digital
The new suite of RIBA Appointments 2007 is on schedule for publication and online downloading in April. The new Appointment Agreements are very different in content and format and follow the updated RIBA Plan of Work, also to be launched in April. The new agreements will come as separate components to allow a ‘mix and match’ approach for maximum flexibility. There will also be separate forms for architects and consultants for wider usage across the industry.
In practice, February 2007

Construction activity
Construction activity grew in January at its strongest rate in three months thanks to increased employment in the sector, with contractors taking on more staff for the seventh consecutive month. New orders rose with local authorities and the energy and water sectors the main source of contract wins. The utilisation of subcontractors increased for the first time in three months but their quality of work deteriorated.
Construction News Plus, 2nd February 2007

Tender prices set to rise
There is predicted to be an increase in the construction market for the UK in 2007, with materials cost increases pushing up tender prices and transferring power from developers to contractors. In London, the top and bottom ends of the market are polarising with large projects being hit by inflationary pressures but smaller projects maintaining a competitive edge.
World Architecture News, 12th February 2007

‘Green’ air conditioning
The adoption of aircraft-style 'air cycle' air-conditioning technologies in buildings would eliminate emissions from conventional hydro fluorocarbon, or greenhouse gases. An £800,000 two-year R&D project, named New Environmental Control System Technology (NECST), will create the technology needed to develop the air-conditioning systems.
Workplace Law Network ebulletin, 12th February 2007

Carbon code
All major new developments in Edinburgh will be forced to cut carbon dioxide emissions and provide renewable energy sources on-site to comply with the Standards for Sustainable Buildings code, Every application for a development of more than 1000 square metres will have to include a pledge to provide ten per cent of its power through renewable energy sources on site. Developers will also be forced to ensure that CO₂ emissions from the construction of each scheme are at least five per cent lower than the total predicted emissions from the lighting, heating and ventilation in the new development. And they will also have to fill out a new assessment form pledging to build environmentally-friendly developments that minimise pollution and strive to use recycled building materials.
Scotsman Online, 6th February 2007

Carbon burial
On 10th February, an amendment to international law came into force that allows the greenhouse gas to be buried beneath the sea floor. At the same time, a new study counters one of the main fears over carbon burial – that the gas will simply leak out again. Some companies have been experimenting with storage in undersea aquifers and porous rocks for more than a decade, but the law was unclear over whether carbon dioxide should be considered a pollutant, leaving companies open to accusations of illegal dumping.
New Scientist, 17th February 2007, p.9

Guidance on electrical safety
A guide has been produced by the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) in collaboration with the HSE and is a summary guide on safe isolation practices, aiming to remind contractors of their legal responsibilities in relation to safe electrical working practice on construction sites. A key message is that electrical installers should not condone unsafe working practices such as energising circuits before electrical installation is completed, sometimes done to accommodate building designers, clients, main contractors and/or finishing trades, In most cases, this breaks the law.

The ESC’s guidance can be found at: www.electricalsafetycouncil.org.uk

Workplace Law Network ebulletin, 26th January 2007

Tightening the noose on air-conditioned offices
Modern buildings could be given D energy ratings under legislation to be announced next month. Developers could be forced to scrap high-tech air-conditioning systems in office buildings or risk getting poor energy ratings – and lower valuations. Details emerged last week of how the energy efficiency of new and existing non-residential buildings is to be assessed, along with a timetable for the introduction of the scheme. Legislation will be launched next month, and detailed guidance will follow later in the year. The move is in response to the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings directive, which requires all buildings to have energy certificates when constructed, sold or rented.
Building Online, Issue 05 2007

Reform Group offers no candidate
ARB chairman Humphrey Lloyd has finally thrown in the towel after six years but the ARB Reform Group — seen as the voice of the RIBA on the ARB board — has failed to put forward a candidate to replace him after its five members decided they did not have a realistic chance of being elected. Architect and current vice-chair Sarah Lupton, who needed a casting vote from Lloyd to clinch the post last year is running, as well as lay member Michael Starling.
Building Design, 9th February 2007

Dual energy offshore plant approved
The government has given the green light to the world's first wind and gas offshore energy project. The Ormonde project run by Eclipse Energy will be sited 10KM from Walney Island near Barrow in Furness and has the potential to generate up to 200MW of electricity. Almost half the power will come from the 30-turbine wind farm which could produce enough energy for around 70,000 homes. On still days, conventional gas sources will pump energy from two fields in Morecambe Bay. The project is still awaiting approval under the separate Petroleum Act 1998 regime, relating to the extraction of gas from the sea bed.
QS Week, 8th February 2007