A wide range of interesting articles that help you make informed decisions and deliver the best projects for your clients authored by our team of NBS subject specialists and construction industry contributors.
Writing clear and concise specifications is crucial on construction projects. A well-structured specification is not only essential for design success but can also prevent delays, unexpected costs and disputes. Here are five essential tips to help you get it right, from our Best Practice Guide to Specification Writing.
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The benefits gained from Building Information Modelling (BIM) correspond to the quality and depth of information in the model. Dr Stephen Hamil explains how BIM is not just 3D CAD and how master specification systems make a huge contribution to the 'I' in BIM.
With BIM (building information modelling) comes the drive to provide greater efficiencies at all stages of the building lifecycle. If a client wishes to benefit from these efficiencies then they need to be instrumental in insuring appropriate working methods and technologies are adopted.
This programme takes an in-depth look at three classic cases in law that have a direct impact on the work of professionals in the construction industry. By examining the implications of the rulings from these seemingly unrelated cases, construction professionals can get a clearer picture of their responsibilities in law towards their direct clients and others.
The programme advises designers and contractors what to consider when specifying and installing water systems such as spray taps, shower units and toilet flushing systems. It also focuses on the Legionnaires' outbreak of 2002 at the Barrow-in-Furness Arts Centre, including the legal consequences for the architect.
An explanation of the different types of fuel that can be classed as biomass and a comparison with oil and gas in terms of the volume of carbon dioxide emissions produced and cost per kilowatt hour.
The programme provides an introduction to critical path analysis, including a comparison between 'critical paths' and 'critical chains' as well as the relative merits of Gantt charts. This is followed by a more detailed look at flow charts, giving a clear idea of their actual workings. PERT (Project Evaluation and Review Technique) and PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) are touched on as project management tools, while the ideas of 'float' and 'contingency' are explained. There is also a brief look at the resourcing of projects and the issue of 'project crashing'.
This programme looks at the ways of incorporating photovoltaics into buildings and discusses the wider implications with regard to embodied energy – and economics.
Sarah Mallagh, head of the Health and Safety Executive's Asbestos Unit, runs through the different types of asbestos, where it can be found, and the diseases (such as mesothelioma and lung cancer) that are caused by breathing in asbestos fibres.
Energy derived from the tides is more predictable than wind energy and solar power. There are three main ways in which power can be generated: tidal barrages, offshore tidal lagoons or tidal stream farms. This programme focuses upon tidal stream energy.
