Building Regulations News Roundup - May 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.
CITB name disappears
The initials CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) have been dropped. The organisation will now be known as just ConstructionSkills.
Contract Flooring Journal, May 2007, p.39
Department of Health extends ProCure21 framework until 2010
The Department of Health has extended its ProCure21 framework contract by two years, signalling its confidence in the initiative. The five-year framework, which was due to end in September 2008, will now run until September 2010. Read more on the contract journal website.
Government urged to outline investment plans
Leading engineers, surveyors and town planners have written to chancellor Gordon Brown calling for a clear plan for delivering multi-billion pound investment in the nation’s essential infrastructure ahead of the forthcoming Planning White Paper. The letter, representing 230,000 professionals from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Town Planning Institute is asking the government to clarify its plans for major investments into new transport, energy, waste and water infrastructure.
Contract Journal, 2nd May 2007
Macro synthetic polymer fibres
Macro synthetic polymer fibres have the potential to improve the post-cracking properties of hardened concrete. Their use as an alternative to nominal bar or fabric reinforcement is a relatively recent development. A new Report (TR 65) from The Concrete Society is intended for designers, clients and users who are familiar with conventional reinforcement but who may have little experience of the use of fibres. For further details visit www.concrete.org.uk.
Measuring practice
RICS plans to publish a new edition of its code of measuring practice. The 6th edition of The RICS Code will be published in the summer and will feature extensively updated diagrams and presentation.
RICS Commercial Property, May 2007, p.20
Private commercial construction
Private commercial construction orders rose 21% in the 12 months to February 2007, says the DTI. But there were falls of 7% and 1% respectively in public non-housing and private industrial orders.
Contract Flooring Journal, May 2007, p.32
Scotland’s Part L comes into force
Scotland’s version of England and Wales’ Part L energy-conservation Building Regulation came into force on 1 May. The potential impact of the far-reaching Section 6 of the Scottish Building Regulations is as yet unknown. However, if experience south of the border is anything to go by, the new laws could catch some architects on the hop. Among the stringent new demands on all schemes submitted are:
- big reductions in CO2 emissions;
- tougher U-values;
- low-energy lighting; and
- high-efficiency condensing boilers in new homes.
Developers will also have to ensure properties are certified ‘air-tight’ before they can legally put them on the market. Intriguingly, the new Scottish rules are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of new regulations on energy emissions from new builds. Following the Scottish Executive elections and a proposed review of current energy standards later this month, there is expected to be further legislation.
AJ Plus, 1st May 2007
Subbies face new pay threat
Subcontractors face the prospect of significantly reduced protection from withheld payments following a landmark ruling in the House of Lords that could nullify an essential section of the Construction Act regarding payment. The case centred on a dispute between Melville Dundas and Wimpey over a housebuilding contract in Glasgow. Go to www.contractjournal.com for more information.
UK's first top level sustainable house
The UK’s first house to meet the top level of the new Code for Sustainable Homes will be built by June. The net zero carbon home, designed by architect Sheppard Robson, Arup and Kingspan, will include high levels of thermal insulation and will also be kitted out with smart metering and monitoring. This records energy consumption and allows residents to see how much energy is being consumed. The two and half storey, three-bedroom house will also include building integrated photovoltaics, a biomass boiler and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. The house will also be ‘future-proofed’ to address the predicted increase in temperature due to climate change, the architect said. This will include a wind catcher/light funnel providing passive cooling and ventilation as well as shaded balconies and shutters to restrict direct sunlight and heat gain.
Building, 16 April 2007
Bid-rigging exposed
The Office of Fair Trading has uncovered evidence of bid-rigging in thousands of construction tenders totalling £3bn after a two year cartel inquiry.
Contract Flooring Journal, May 2007, p.30
