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Welcome to the May edition of theNBS.com eNewsletter
In this issue we give you information about NBS Learning Channels, the future of nanotechnology in construction, and discuss the benefits of thatch roofing.
NBS Perspective is here
NBS Perspective is a new document management system to help you view, organise and share information and project documentation. Customers to NBS specification products will all have received NBS Perspective with the latest update (2008-1 March). If you haven’t installed your update yet, why not do it now so you can take advantage of this fantastic new resource? Remember, you can only use NBS Perspective if you have installed the update! If you need a reminder of what
NBS Perspective can do for you, follow this link.
If you are not an NBS customer and are interested in NBS Perspective, contact NBS Sales on 0845 456 9594 or visit www.thenbs.com/nbsPerspective.
NBS Learning Channels
NBS Learning Channels are a new suite of video based learning services for individuals and organisations working in the architecture, design and construction industry. Each channel subscription is tailored to a specific profession and is available online, in CD-ROM or DVD formats.
Individual channels contain a series of high quality programmes focussed on recent projects and events, created by leading industry professionals and experts in the field. Interactive quizzes ensure you test your learning as you go along and get the most from your subscription.
Example programme content
* Click the image below and you will link to the video page.
ISO 14001
The benefits of certification to environmental standard
ISO 14001.
Planning Policy Statement 25: Flood Risk
PPS25, published in December 2006, sets out the policy of central government on development in areas of flood risk.
Building Regulations Update
Subscribers to NBS Building Regulations will be pleased to know that we have introduced three new guides to Parts B Fire Safety, F Ventilation and L Conservation of Fuel & Power. These guides would cost more than £70 to purchase and are included as part of the subscription, along with 10 new Shortcuts.
If you do not already subscribe to NBS Building Regulations and are interested in accessing up to date and archive Approved Documents and a range of guides online, contact NBS Sales on
0845 456 9594 or buy online. NBS Building Regulations costs from £190+VAT.
Nanotechnology in construction
Nanotechnology is possibly the next big thing, but what does
it have to do with construction?
1 nanometre (nm) is a billionth of a metre; the smallest
things visible to the naked human eye are around 10,000nm. Industry proponents say that nanotechnology will have a
giant effect on building, gaining better performance from existing products at lower cost and creating new and novel applications, from self cleaning roads and fabrics to
electricity generating coatings and other even more exotic products.
Market consumption of nanomaterials is accelerating. According to the Freedonia Group, there was $1 billion in worldwide demand for nanomaterials in 2006, with 3% of it in construction. Freedonia expects demand to grow to $4.2 billion by 2011 and $100 billion by 2025: of this, construction is expected to claim around 7%.
Thatch roofing
NBS Technical Author Charles Stirling investigates the benefits of thatch roofing and the types of thatch available.
The use of thatch has had a recent resurgence, particularly within the south west of England. It is estimated that of the current stock of 30,000 thatched roofs, some 2,500 are new build. Where specified as new build the thatched roof must, of course, conform to current Building Regulations.
Thatch is naturally air and moisture permeable – it provides a weather resistant, breathable and highly durable roof covering. However, polyethylene sheeting used to provide weatherproofing during thatching, if subsequently left in place, can impede this air and moisture flow and lead to early deterioration of the thatch. In addition, with the requirement for thermal insulation and fire protection to satisfy Building Regulations, there is a potential for reduced air movement within the thatch, which could also affect its durability. Extensive guidance on specifying thermal insulation, fire protection and electrical installations is available from BRE, local authorities, insurance agencies and the National Society of Master Thatchers.
Dealing with glare: improving visual comfort
Even though it is difficult to define, and hard to remedy, glare
is often a contributory factor affecting the proper use of computer screens, leading to personal discomfort, and affecting the health, safety and performance of personnel. Contrary to what R.E.M. tells us, "shiny" does not necessarily make for happy people. In this exclusive extract from NBS Shortcuts, written by noted industry figure Austin Williams, we introduce the concept of glare.
New books from RIBA Publishing
Keep up to date with the latest design and construction reading with these new releases from RIBA Publishing. All books featured are available to order from RIBA Bookshops.
Space Craft – The handsomely illustrated Space Craft is a snapshot
of the rapidly developing subject of architectural 3-D computer modelling. Increasingly important in contemporary architecture, many
of today's iconic free-form structures simply couldn't be made without the advanced digital techniques described here. Packed with cutting-edge case studies by acknowledged leaders in the field, the book explores the contemporary state of the art and hints at its monumental potential, a potential that is within reach of very small practices – even sole practitioners.
Aimed at all architects, engineers and construction specialists with a professional interest in computational design, the book shows that both landmark buildings and modest, low-budget structures can benefit from this approach.
Architect's Pocket Book – Now in its third edition, the Architect's Pocket Book is an essential reference book that helps thousands of students and professionals find the information they need, every day. This best selling pocket book has been fully revised, complete with
new and updated diagrams, tables and symbol guides, so it will continue to provide readers with crucial facts that would otherwise
have to be looked up in less convenient and portable sources.
Building Construction Illustrated – For over 30 years, Building Construction Illustrated has offered an outstanding introduction to the principles of building construction. Now this fourth edition has been expertly revised and updated to address the latest advances in materials, building technology and code requirements. Updated and revised to include the latest knowledge on sustainability and complete with more than 1,000 illustrations, the book moves through each of the key stages of the design process, from site selection to building components, mechanical systems, and finishes.
Coming soon:
Guide to IC05 – Guide to IC05, the new edition of Sarah Lupton's very successful Guide to IFC98, is a practical guide to the operation and administration of the JCT Intermediate Building Contract 2005. As well as covering the recent amendment to take account of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, it points out the important new changes to the contract, compared to the old 1998 version, and reflects on up-to-date legal cases which serve as
valuable lessons for the unwary. The contract's provisions, procedures and supplementary conditions are organised and defined by subject and are supported by useful indexes, while clause comparison tables allow a quick and easy way to understand how it relates to the old contract.
Pre-order your copy today and take advantage of our pre-publication offer price. Your book will be despatched on publication.
All books listed above are available to order from www.ribabookshops.com, from our mail order department: +44 (0) 207 256 7222 and from our bookshops in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.
Most popular NBS articles - April
Find out what NBS website visitors are reading. This month, we round up the most popular technical articles from April on www.theNBS.com.
The structure of a schedule of work
The schedule of work is rarely, if ever, used in isolation. It is commonly bound together with contract preliminaries (describing general project requirements and contract terms) and with a specification document describing minimum acceptable product and workmanship standards. This group of documents may then be supported by drawings and itemized lists (also, confusingly, known as schedules), bundled separately or bound in as appendices.
Read more >>
The benefits of master specifications
Specification is an essential part of the design process. Unfortunately, for most engineers, it is the least enjoyed task. This often results in specifications of inferior quality. If a specification is written badly it can cause major problems for every member of the construction team, and can cost the client a great deal of money. If the specification is well written it can enhance project delivery for the whole construction team while saving everyone money.
Read more >>
CDM Regulations 2007 – What changes have the contract publishers made?
NBS maintains over 80 Preliminaries sets for use with contracts published by a wide variety of bodies. However, the introduction of the CDM Regulations 2007 has meant that amendments are needed to almost all of the contracts.
Read more >>
Specifying colour
There is a veritable rainbow of standards for the generic specification of colour. John Gelder, Content development manager, looks for the pot of gold.
Read more >>
Recommended websites
This month's recommended websites are:
architecture.com
250,000 pages of useful information about architecture, architects, and the Royal Institute of British Architects, including free access to the RIBA library catalogue.
BREEAM
BREEAM is BRE's environmental assessment method, used to assess the environmental performance of both new and existing buildings. It is regarded by the UK's construction and property sectors as the measure of best practice in environmental design and management.
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment exists to promote high quality design and architecture and to raise the standard of the built environment generally. The site includes a library of projects, news and links.
Design for Homes
Design for Homes is a showcase for excellence in residential architecture, construction and planning, with housing news, events, case studies etc. The site is divided into three sections, one for all visitors, one for registered users and one for UK registered architects.
Historic Environment Local Management (HELM)
The HELM website is a fully accessible one-stop-shop for historic environment guidance and information. It contains the latest English Heritage publications, information on training events, useful web links and news. There are searchable databases of good practice case studies and of local authority historic environment publications.
For a comprehensive list of selected built environment websites, see our Resources section.
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