Citation
Todd, S. (2005), "Internet review", Structural Survey, Vol. 23 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2005.11023bag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Internet review
The web site information included below includes two key and other informative sites. If there are any other interesting sites or sources of information that you have found useful, please e-mail me at s.todd@salford.ac.uk
The Building Research Establishment
The BRE is currently rolling out a “new identity which develops from their current brand yet is in itself strong in character.” The main services that BRE offer can be split as follows:
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construction, buildings and infrastructure;
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the environment and sustainability;
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energy efficient buildings;
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fire, crime and security; and
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certification and approval services, processes and products.
The latest news section from the BRE are outlined below.
Planning now for decent homes in 2010
North London boroughs assess private sector housing standards. The BRE has been appointed to help six London boroughs – Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington and Westminster – that are pooling resources to take the first steps in assessing the distribution of poor housing in the private sector. The aim is to accurately identify the factors that contribute to what is termed “non-” decent homes, by June this year, in preparation for North London’s first ever private sector housing strategy. This is the first group of boroughs in the country to tackle this issue in order to meet the Government’s decent homes targets for 2010 and beyond. BRE has been appointed to carry out the work in the boroughs by using detailed mapping systems based on the 2001 Census and data collected from the English National Housing Condition Survey the same year. Unfit housing, poor repair, excessive cold, fuel poverty and vulnerable people are some of the key factors influencing the local property conditions. This means that people are living in poor housing that is deteriorating – their health suffers and the quality of life in an area is reduced.
Part P – electrical safety
Many householders remain unaware of the new requirements of Part P of the Building Regulations, or are unclear of their implications. From 1 January 2005 householders needing electrical work must either: employ an electrical contractor who is registered as a “competent person” to Part P; or let the Local Authority Building Control office know of their intentions to carry out electrical work – Building Control will inspect the work.
Approved Document P. From 1 January 2005, most electrical installations in dwellings are covered by Approved Document P (ADP) of the Building Regulations 2000. This new regulation (commonly referred to as Part P) also applies to electrical installations in common access areas in blocks of flats such as corridors and staircases and also any shared amenities such as laundries or gyms.
Part P states that “fixed electrical installations in dwellings shall be suitably designed, installed, inspected and tested so as to provide reasonable protection against their being the source of a fire or cause of injury to persons and where an electrical installation is provided, extended or altered, sufficient information shall be provided so that persons wishing to operate, maintain or alter the installation in the future can do so reasonably safely”. Part P advises compliance with BS 7671 or following the Guidance within the “IEE On Site Guide” or relevant other IEE Guidance Notes.
ADP defines an electrical installation as “fixed electrical cables or fixed electrical equipment located on the consumer’s side of the electricity supply meter”. This encompasses all wiring and assemblies other than portable or transportable appliances, namely:
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connection of an additional circuit(s) to a new or existing consumer unit (e.g. fire or security alarm);
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complete re-wiring;
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replacement of cables resulting from damage to more than one existing circuit; and
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electrical installations in kitchens, bathrooms, or other special locations as defined by Part P.
Tsunami disaster
How can UK research and technology experts help? The BRE is giving urgent consideration to how its specialist knowledge and expertise can be used to support organisations working to help those affected by the tsunami disaster. The aim is to gather information on specific needs that BRE – and other UK research and technology organisations – can use to determine what expertise and assistance they have that can be put at the disposal of those in the stricken communities, to contribute to damage assessment, repair and reconstruction of the buildings and infrastructure.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
The main menu of the RICS site includes:
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About RICS.
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Built environment.
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Property.
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Environment.
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Management.
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Training.
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RICS services.
The News section gives details on:
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congestion charges hits retailers; and
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million metre row – RICS tsunami appeal.
There are quick links to:
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Contact us.
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Find a surveyor.
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RICS books.
According to the RICS over 20,000 members have registered onto RICS.org. This enables users to personalise RICS.org by selecting subjects and regions of interest. The RICS discussion forums have been successful enabling members to meet to exchange ideas.
Sustainability Works
www.sustainabilityworks.org.uk
This is an online application for creating and implementing sustainable development strategies for use by housing associations, local authorities, contractors, consultants and developers. A new version, launched in January 2005 includes EcoHomes 2005 standards, but will be accessible by subscription only.
The Hadley Centre
www.met-office.gov.uk/research/hadleycentre
The Hadley Centre is part of the UK Met Office and researches scientific issues associated with climate change. It monitors climate change factors and develops climate models to simulate global and regional climate variability and change. The main menu includes information on:
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climate system;
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climate monitoring;
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climate models;
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climate predictions;
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carbon cycle;
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publications; and
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links – climate centres, intergovernmental panel on climate change, climate data for impacts research, and UK Climate impacts programme
UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA)
The UKTFA promotes timber frame to the construction industry and the public. It provides information and guidance, both technical and consumer; and aims to ensure that all sectors of UK construction fully exploit the benefits of timber frame. The menus include information on:
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latest news;
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benefits of timber frame; and
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Q-Mark quality scheme.
There is also a search facility which allows users to access a database of manufacturers, designers, erectors, industry supplies and financial services companies.
CIRIA
CIRIA is recognised as one of the foremost independent and authoritative broker of construction research and innovation in the UK.
CIRIA’s activities span:
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buildings and facilities;
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transport; and
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water and utilities.
Membership includes all construction stakeholder groups and covers both the supply and demand sides of the industry, as well as the majority of relevant public sector champions and regulators. All our work is member-driven, and the ensuing dialogue between the various interest groups, coupled with the rigorous and proven processes employed, ensures that the results are soundly based. They are also auditably taken up and implemented throughout the industry.
CIRIA has a global reach and is engaged in dialogue with the majority of leading construction research organisations and universities, both in the UK and overseas. The “News” section includes information on:
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glazing at height: free guidance from CIRIA;
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sustainable construction in practice roadshow;
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SUDS training – CIRIA and Sustainable Drainage Associates series;
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greater transparency and participation is the focus for nuclear industry conference; and
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CIRIA awarded concrete structures research contract.
Contaminated Land
This web site gives guidance on environmental good practice in construction. The main menu is structured as:
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Introduction.
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Publications.
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Software.
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Publishers.
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Glossary.
Westminster International Ltd
Westminster International Ltd is a leading provider of fire, safety and security equipment and systems worldwide. When a fire alarm installation is required the customer or organisation is often faced with a bewildering array of decisions. Westminster International offers a service for this. For example:
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Is compliance with British Standards necessary? If so, is it BS5839 Part 1 or Part 6?
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Is BS6266 or B.S. 7273 relevant? What category of system is called for? M,P or L? Type 1, 2 or 3?
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What grade of system is required? A - F? Is compliance to LPS 1014 required?
British Security Industry Association
The British Security Industry Association is the professional trade association for the security industry in the UK. Its aim is to help its member companies succeed in an ever-changing and highly competitive business environment. A vitally important element of this is ensuring its members provide the highest possible standard of products and service to their customers. The main menu is structured as:
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About the BSIA.
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How to join.
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BSIA members.
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Security sectors
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News articles.
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Seminars and events.
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Legislation.
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British and European standards.
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BSIA publications.
Design Quality Indicators
The Design Quality Indicator (DQI) is a new method for assessing the design quality of buildings. It has been developed by CIC in order to enable all stakeholders involved in the built environment to gain more value from the design of buildings. DQI Online is an interactive tool that includes a simple and non-technical questionnaire. The process of answering these questions will help you and your colleagues make an assessment of the quality of your building in an interactive and participative process that will enable all your stakeholders to get involved. The results can be obtained instantly and displayed in different ways to help facilitate discussion among your group.
The DQI questionnaire addresses the following three critical areas:
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Functionality. How the space (in your built environment) has been managed and how the usefulness of the building can be assessed?
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Build quality. The engineering performance of the building, which includes its structural stability as well as the integration and robustness of the systems, finishes and fittings.
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Impact. The ability of the building to create a sense of place, and to have a positive effect on the local community and environment. It also encompasses the wider effect its design may have within the design and construction community.
Stephen Todd