Structural Survey and the Internet

Citation

Todd, S. (1999), "Structural Survey and the Internet", Structural Survey, Vol. 17 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.1999.11017dag.001

Structural Survey and the Internet

Keywords: Construction industry, WWW

The Web site information in this volume includes some key sites and some other new resources. If there are any other sites that you find particularly useful please e-mail me at S.Todd@salford.ac.uk

CRISP

(http://www.ciboard.org.uk/crisp.htm)

CRISP is part of the Construction Industry Board and represents the interest of industry, its clients and the government. CRISP's Strategic Priorities 1999 document was launched during the National Construction week and this Web site builds on this document.

UK Government Departments

(http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/)

This site gives details on UK government departments and other public sector organisations. It is split into nine main sections:

1. 1.

   Main index. Subject and search

2. 2.

   News. News releases, news publications, treasury taskforce (private finance).

3. 3.

   Budget. March 1999.

4. 4.

   Economy. Economic indicators, economic policy, GDP deflators.

5. 5.

   Speeches. Chancellor, Chief Secretary, Paymaster General.

6. 6.

   Savings. Individual Savings Accounts.

7. 7.

   Initiatives. Financial Services and Markets Bill, Government Construction Client Panel, Consultation Documents.

8. 8.

   Guidance. National Asset Register, Invest to Save, Open Government.

9. 9.

   Misc. Ministerial Biographies, Treasury Information.

European Construction Institute

(http://www.lboro.lut.ac.uk/departments/cv/eci/)

This Loughborough University site was established in 1990 and aims to amalgamate clients, clients' contractors and consultants with European and worldwide operations to improve construction industry performance.

Housing Corporation

(http://helios.bre.co.uk/igp)

This site gives details of the work done under the Housing Corporation's good practice program. This pilot Web site was launched in May 1998 to publicise the Housing Corporation's work. Other company sites

Protimeter

(http://www.protimeter.com)

This site gives details of Protimeter's range of meters, hygrometers and kits for the measurement and diagnosis of dampness in buildings. One of the developments on this company's Web site is the ability to download brochures, additional data sheets and calibration tables in Adobe Acrobatª. These files can then be read by Adobe Acrobat's Reader which is available FOC from http://www.adobe.com.

Dow Corning

(http://www.dowcorningdiscovery.com)

This company has two main sites:

1. 1.

   The Corporate site is at http://www.dowcorning.com, which gives information on the company and its products.

2. 2.

   The Discovery Centre gives reports and information on market issues.

Hunter Plastic

(http://www.hunterplastic.co.uk)

This site gives details about the company's range of plastic rainwater, soil, waste and underground drainage products. The site is split between domestic rainwater, high capacity rainwater, soil and waste, underground drainage, environmental and downloadable literature. The technical information can be used for specification purposes. There is also a technical trouble-shooter section.

Eagle Technology

(http://www.eaglecmms.com) This company specialises in computerised maintenance management software systems (CMMS). The current system is "Proteus" which is available in six levels, including enterprise/client server and beginner versions. An evaluation copy is available on CD and this includes a tutorial manual or alternatively a demonstration can be downloaded from the product pages.

Ambi-Rad

(http://www.ambirad.co.uk)

The main sections of this site include:

• •

  technical library;

• •

  products;

• •

  distributors and applications.

It also includes standard technical specifications for all its radiant and warm air heating products. The site also includes a technical library of heating information.

The Heating & Ventilating Contractor's Association

(http://www.hvca.org.uk)

This site represents the interests of UK firms that design, install and maintain heating, ventilating and refrigeration systems. It also includes a searchable directory of all HVCA member companies.

The Boiler and Radiator manufacturer's Association

(http://www.barma.co.uk)

This site gives information on commercial and industrial heating together with technical information including environmental issues, standards, efficiencies and regulations.

Plant Energy Systems

(http://www.plantenergy.co.uk)

This site gives details of the company's "pioneering" packaged plantrooms and specialised duct cleaning service. A packaged plantroom is constructed off site and delivered and connected when the building is near completion. Other services available include mechanical services installations and water treatment services.

Autron

(http://www.autron.co.uk)

This site gives details of the company's low surface temperature radiators.

Surefire Systems

(http://www.surefire.co.uk)

This site gives details of its fire protection systems. The "Homepage Website Library" also includes links to other useful resources dealing with fluorocarbons, British Fire Protection Systems Association, Building Fire and Research Lab publications, Climate Change, Chemistry of Halon, Natural Fire Extinguishants & The Montreal Protocol on Ozone Protection.

Browsers

http://www.tucows.com)

This site gives details about browsers, utilities, communications, network tools, servers and security. It also includes downloadable software for PDAs.

Area Data

(http://www.areadata.co.uk)

This site details (subscription required) census and market information for any area in the UK. It is possible to test Area Data online before registering by signing in as a guest. This enables the user to try the online mapping features, create new catchment areas and view sample reports.

Baggeridge

(http://www.baggeridge.co.uk)

This site aims to helps construction professionals specify brick and paving products. A breakdown of each brick's technical performance is also given. The site's structure includes:

• •

  Customer services. Literature requests, self-build, technical support.

• •

  Brick products. Facings, engineering, sizes, specials, etc.

• •

  Paving systems. Standard cobbles and sets, etc.

British Fire Protection Systems Association

(http://www.bfpsa.org.uk)

The British Fire Protection Systems Association represents manufacturers and installers of fire alarms and fixed extinguishing systems. It includes references, standards, regulations and other publications.

Celcon

(http://www.celcon.co.uk)

This site is intended to provide designers, specificers, builders, contractors and builder's merchants with all the information they require for the correct use of Celcon products. There is also a CD available: "The electronic book of block" which can be ordered online. The site includes:

• •

  Applications: links to walls, floors and foundations.

• •

  Design: gives advice on structural, thermal and sound insulation, fire resistance, ballistics, movement joints, applied finishes and fitting out and fixing.

• •

  Site practice: covering block laying and storage.

• •

  References.

• •

  BBA certificates.

• •

  NBS specification clauses.

• •

  U-value tables.

• •

  Fastract: an architectural CAD database.

Stokes Systems

(http://www.stokes.co.uk)

This company designs, manufactures and installs curtain walling. The products include "Astrawall", "Kalwall" and other structural glazing systems.

Protan

(http://www.protran.co.uk)

This "specifier's club" aims to keep architects and contractors up to date and allows access to specification details, drawings and product data.

Movement for innovation

(http://www.m4i.org.uk)

This organisation aims to improve through demonstration and dissemination of best practice and innovations in the construction industry.