Standards and Regulations

A round-up of the gas safety regulations and guidance for those involved in residential development.

Introducing BS 8536-2: 2016. A new addition to the BIM Level 2 suite of documents gives recommendations for briefing for design and construction in relation to energy, telecommunication, transport, water and other utilities’ infrastructure to ensure that design takes into account the expected performance of the asset in use over its planned operational life.

Safety briefings and toolbox talks have an essential role to play in ensuring health and safety matters are at the forefront of your workers’ minds, helping to keep your site safe and productive. We explore the requirements for such talks and briefings, what topics they might cover and what form they might take and offer tips for those looking to deliver effective presentations.

From April 2018 new gas appliances must comply with the Gas Appliance Regulation if they are to be imported or sold into EU countries. We explore issues under the existing Gas Appliance Directive that have led to reform and detail what's changed.

There's a packed events programme in store for the remainder of 2017. Don’t miss out on the best conferences, exhibitions, expos and networking events that can add value to your working life in the months ahead.

The CE Mark has become familiar and seemingly ubiquitous but what does it actually signify? What products does it apply to? What does a CE Mark mean in terms of trade? We explore what the mark means for manufacturers looking to trade and end users looking to buy products.

By 2045, an estimated 6 billion people will be living in cities. That means an enormous amount of showers flowing, toilets flushing, and sinks being filled. Dragan Savic from the University of Exeter explains why the 'invisible utility' should be at the heart of smart city plans.

Noise exposure is the main cause of preventable hearing loss worldwide and construction professionals are particularly at risk. We explore the regulations designed to protect us and the role audiologists play in monitoring hearing ability.

Uniclass 2015 is a unified classification system for the UK construction industry covering all sectors of the industry. Here we explore Uniclass 2015, introducing key concepts, explain how the tables are coded and how to view and download the Uniclass 2015 tables.

From April 2017 the taxpayer will no longer foot the bill when it comes to apprenticeships. Large employers, including those in construction, will instead pay an Apprenticeship Levy administered via the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system. Here's what you need to know about the changes.

Its versatility led to prevalence. We explore the toxic legacy left by asbestos, its impact on the construction industry, and explore precautions required when managing and working with asbestos.

Revisions to BS 5266 have been made to better align the document with national and European standards and to reflect the fact that, in some scenarios, such as hospitals or care homes, occupants may need to remain on the premises in safety.

NBS research has found that Approved Documents are valued by users and are essential in making sure people comply with the building regulations. There is, however, work to be done to make them fit for digital construction.

Is the green belt a sustainable idea in a time of housing crisis? Alister Scott, Professor of Environment and Spatial Planning at Northumbria University and puts the case for greater strategic cross-boundary planning.