Building Regulations News Roundup - March 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.

New CDM code
The Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) for revised CDM regulations was finally published this week, leaving architects and their clients one month to get up to speed. The new CDM will be implemented on 6 April 2007.  The Health & Safety Executive’s ACoP was issued on Tuesday (27 February). Architects placing orders will still have to wait two weeks for despatch, according to HSE Books, due to the high volume of pre-orders. The HSE added that as a priced publication, it would not be appearing on its web site as a free download.

The new CDM regime unifies CDM and Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations in a single package. There is a more explicit duty on architects to eliminate hazards and reduce risks during the design stage as far as is reasonably practicable, and there is a new duty to ensure that workplaces comply with Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations. And the duty holder charged with providing the client with advice, co-ordinating the planning and design phase and preparing a health and safety file becomes the CDM Co-ordinator, rather than the Planning Supervisor.

Domestic clients’ duties are unarguably unchanged. For more information on Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, Approved Code of Practice (L144), contact RIBA Bookshops on 020 7256 7222.

RIBA Practice Bulletin No. 387, 1 March 2007

NOTE: NBS is planning to hold a series of half-day seminars on CDM 2007. These events will cover duties under CDM, demonstrations of compliance, requirements for competence and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. See also Shortcut 26 available in March 2007

Delay of energy ratings
The government is being urged to delay the introduction of energy performance certificates in Home Information Packs. The Better Regulation Commission said that the requirement for a new Energy Performance Certificate every time a home went on the market would increase the costs of moving substantially. In addition it warned that there may not be enough certificated energy assessors available by 1 June when the EPCs are introduced in Home Information Packs.
Building Online, 27 February 2007

Boom is forecast – Construction costs will rise as the industry gears up for a boom year, according to a survey of 2,500 firms. Increased orders have been fuelled by a surge in commercial property and house improvements.
Contract Flooring Journal, March 2007, p.32

BRE Certification
BRE Certification has launched a new scheme as part of the Loss Prevention Standards LPS 1181 series of fire growth tests for the approval of construction product systems. LPS 1181 Part 4 covers systems tested to BS 8414-1:2002 (masonry backed systems), with a part 5 scheme in preparation to cover BS 8414-2:2005 (lightweight structural frames).
BRE Constructing the Future, Spring 2007, p.2

CIRIA
CIRIA has signed a sole partnership agreement with IHS. This agreement grants IHS the sole rights to include a wide range of CIRIA publications in the Construction Information Service.

‘Don’t blame the builder’
This is reported to be the provisional title of a Channel 4 documentary on construction arbitration scheduled to be aired in the autumn. It will feature attempts to resolve disputes between client and builder.
Contract Flooring Journal, March 2007, p.36

EU agrees to cut greenhouse emissions by 20%
European environment ministers have agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.
New Scientist Online, 21 February 2007

New consumer standards
The Government is looking to establish an accreditation scheme for micro generation products, i.e. new domestic solar panels and wind turbines. DTI is set to launch the scheme in April.
Zerochampion, 23 February 2007

New materials merger announced
Owens Corning and Saint-Gobain have agreed to merge their reinforcements and composites business to form a new company 'OCV Reinforcements'.
Construction News Plus, 21 February 2007

Scottish Executive reveals country's future architecture plans
A new document outlining the Scottish Executive's aspirations for the future of the country's architecture has been unveiled. Building Our Legacy is the government's new statement on architecture policy, which builds on the commitments made in its original policy in 2001. The revised policy provides a blueprint for architectural excellence within Scotland and acknowledges the milestones which have taken place since 2001, including the establishment of the Scottish Building Standards Agency and Architecture and Design Scotland. View the policy.

Sensational resignation letter
Sensational resignation letter from former English Heritage chief architect revealed - The letter, addressed to the conservation director Bill Martin, is damning of the state of the quango. It outlines a series of major failings in funding and organisation, while also painting a picture of low morale. Read the letter in full.
AJ Plus, 21 February 2007

Tower crane warning
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning regarding the correct installation of high tensile bolts in tower cranes including those on masts, jibs and slew rings; the warning highlights the need to correctly install and tighten these bolts. The information is supplementary to guidance contained in BS 7121 Part 2:2003, and comes as a result of ongoing work with the tower crane industry. For the full text, see http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/pdf/cranebolt.pdf.

National Plant Specification on-line
The National Plant Specification (NPS) is now available free online on the Helios website. The Landscape Institute will be working with the HTA to promote its use and encourage more landscape architects, contractors and specifiers to use the information and choose plants that are fit for purpose.

'Top Plants for Amenity Landscapes'
'Top Plants for Amenity Landscapes' database is being launched by the HTA in conjunction with the Landscape Institute to provide guidance and support to Landscape Architects and highlight some of the best and most widely available plants for use in amenity plantings. The database can be searched at http://www.plantspec.info.