Citation
Todd, S. (2001), "Structural Survey and the Internet", Structural Survey, Vol. 19 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2001.11019dag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Structural Survey and the Internet
Stephen Todd
The Web site information in this volume includes some key sites and other new resources. If there are any other sites that you find particularly useful, please e-mail me at S.Todd@salford.ac.uk
The Building Research Establishment(www.bre.co.uk)
Recently added information includes details on the following projects:
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Adapting existing buildings for housing. Reports on a study carried out by BRE for the UK Government.
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New BREEAM for retail premises. Work to develop BREEAM Retail for assessing the environmental performance of retail premises.
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Making the case for sustainability in buildings. A project to develop sustainability in property-related decision making has been completed.
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Best practice for key commercial challenges to the timber industry. A Web-based case study has been compiled by the Timber Best Practice Programme team and can be found on www.timberbestpractice.org.uk
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BRE HQI software. Describes Version 2 of the BRE software for assessing the housing quality indicator (HQI) score of housing scheme designs.
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Guidance on vacuum drainage. Reports on a DETR-sponsored project to produce guidance to complement the recently introduced European Standard EN 12109.
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PAINT 2005. PAINT 2005 is the network group run by BRE to act as an umbrella body for paint- and coatings-related research.
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Concrete frame construction. A Best Practice Guide aimed at improving the performance of the concrete frame industry has been published.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors(www.rics.org.uk)
The basic structure of the RICS Web site has not changed since the last issue.
The site includes new information on:
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How RICS members can record their Continuing Professional Development online.
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The Law Societies' contaminated land publication: the "Warning card" to all solicitors regarding contaminated land liabilities. The impacts of this are substantial not only for solicitors themselves but also for surveyors involved in all aspects of property transactions at any time.
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RICS Online – This is a new site, developed for RICS members and others with a direct interest in the surveying profession. It aims to provide relevant and specific information together with exclusive products and services. This section is structured as follows:
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information centre;
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members' network;
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business services;
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membership services;
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about RICS;
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contacts.
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The site will be updated regularly and the RICS will be providing additional products and services to its members through the site, and certain areas will become password protected. In the longer term, users will be able to receive
EasyMaterial.com(www.easymaterial.com)
This site operates a real time exchange for the construction industry and enables price comparison, availability and delivery terms for 10,000 building materials.
Barcellos(www.barcellos.co.uk)
The schedule of rates contained in this site are for use on measured term contracts to which the PSA, NSR (National Schedule of Rates) or NHFA (National Federation of Housing Associations) schedule of rates apply.
Glenigan(www.glenigan.com)
This site is described as "the most powerful" construction information database in the UK. It allows the user to view information on any construction project, planned or underway, or any company moving premises in the UK.
Contaminated Land(www.contaminatedland.co.uk)
This site gives information on contaminated land in the UK, for all working in the field, whether involved in buying, selling, assessing or advising. Part of the site is structured as follows:
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introduction;
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causes of contamination;
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environmental publications;
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environmental links;
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government guidance;
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standards and guidelines.
CLARINET (The Contaminated Land Rehabilitation Network for Environmental Technologies in Europe)(www.clarinet.at)
This Web site provides comprehensive information related to contaminated land management in Europe and is addressed to decision makers and stakeholders such as researchers and academics, policy experts and problem holders, etc. It aims to stimulate responsible and integrative approaches towards effective solution of contaminated land-related problems in Europe.
Green Building Information Council(www.greenbuilding.ca)
This site aims "to advance the energy and environmental performance of buildings through the creation, exchange and application of appropriate and timely information". The Green Building Information Centre is to be replaced by the Sustainable Building Information Centre and the new site structure is viewable in pdf format.
Sitescope Online(www.sitescope.co.uk)
This site is described as "the leading online resource for UK property and environmental risk information". It provides access to current and historical environmental and property information sources. Other resources on this site include:
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historical mapping;
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partnership programme;
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home check;
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sitescope wastefill;
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free mapping.
The European Liquid Roofing Association(www.liquidroofing.org.uk)
The European Liquid Roofing Association consists of the UK's manufacturers of liquid roof coatings and related materials suppliers. It aims to raise awareness of the technical and awareness of liquid-applied roofing systems and to establish product and installation standards.
F. Ball and Co. Ltd(www.f-ball.co.uk)
This manufacturer's site gives details of flooring adhesives and floor preparation products for the contract flooring industry. The main menu includes:
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recommended adhesives guide;
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product range brochures;
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technical datasheets;
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safety datasheets;
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about F. Ball;
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technical support;
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case histories;
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training.
The British Board of Agrément (BBA)(http://www.bbacerts.co.uk)
BBA's Web site gives details of Agrément Certificates to get an unbiased opinion on the performance and durability of products and their compliance with the building regulations. It includes listings of all products and installers approved by the BBA. The BBA is the UK member of the European Union of Agrément (UEAtc), represents the UK in the European Organisation for Technical Approvals, and is responsible for the issue of European Technical Approvals in this country, enabling products to achieve the commercially vital CE mark.
Kingspan(www.kingspanpanels.com)
Kingspan is a manufacturer of insulated roof and wall cladding systems. The Web site contains a wealth of information and includes:
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products;
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design;
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NBS specification;
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CAD details;
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support/download;
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links;
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software.
Alfas(www.alfas.com)
Alfas manufactures and supplies a wide range of sealants and adhesives for use throughout industry. Their markets span the fire protection, windows, roofing, construction and civil engineering industries. The main menu is organised as follows:
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home page;
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what's new;
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sealing tapes;
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fire rated sealants;
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technical and safety data;
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accreditations and memberships.
Building Products(www.buildingproducts.co.uk)
This Web site now allows users to log enquiries directly with Building Products, to be forwarded straight on to the relevant manufacturers and suppliers. The service is operable across any issue of Building Products, the Housing Focus and Building Products Action Pack published in the last six months.
Saint-Gobain Pipelines(www.saint-gobainpipelines.co.uk)
This Web site details Saint-Gobain Pipelines range of products and includes:
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ductile iron pipes and fittings;
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valves, hydrants and couplings;
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access covers and gratings;
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drainage products.
The Corrosion Prevention Council(www.corrosionprevention.org.uk)
This Web site covers cathodic protection and related technologies.
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what is cathodic protection?;
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corporate members' membership categories;
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publications and services;
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news from cpa;
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objectives;
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useful links.
The site gives details of publications which are available free of charge and include:
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No 1: Reinforced concrete: history, properties and durability.
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No 2: An introduction to electrochemical rehabilitation techniques.
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No 3: Cathodic protection of steel in concrete – the international perspective.
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No 4: Monitoring and maintenance of cathodic protection systems.
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No 5: Corrosion mechanisms – an introduction to aqueous corrosion.
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No 6: The principles and practice of galvanic cathodic protection for reinforced concrete structures.
Insulated Render and Cladding Association(www.inca-ltd.org.uk)
This Web site gives details on how buildings can be weather proofed, thermally upgraded with cold bridging eliminated and the appearance transformed using specialist render systems.