Recent publications

Citation

(2006), "Recent publications", Structural Survey, Vol. 24 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2006.11024aae.001

Recent publications

Books

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  Regeneration of brownfield sites containing ferrous slags.

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  Innovation in concrete frame construction.

Digests

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  Using UK grown Douglas fir and larch timber for external cladding.

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  Mechanical installation of roof-mounted photovoltaic systems.

Good Building Guides

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  Plastering and internal rendering.

Information Papers

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  Green gluing of timber: a feasibility study.

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  Innovation in concrete frame construction.

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  Small-scale, building integrated, wind power systems.

All of the above publications are available from www.brebookshop.com or tel 01344 404407.

Homebuyer Survey to Home Condition Report – Making The Change

A lot has been written on the new HCR variously describing it as “based on the RICS Homebuyer Survey” or dismissing it as a “tick-box exercise” – both of which are highly misleading. In this new book, Stephen Callaghan demonstrates the fundamental differences, and areas of similarity, between the two forms of survey report. By taking a case study property and conducting both an RICS Homebuyer Survey and a Home Condition Report on it, he guides the reader through annotated text to the important reporting differences that are required. Further case study properties from different periods are presented with full HCRs conducted on them. Here, the author shows how the language, content and approach all differ from presently available mid-range surveys. This book will be an important reference for all professionals seeking authoritative guidance on making the change to the HCR. Published by RICS Books in paperback it is priced at £45.00 and due in February 2006.

Home Inspection Handbook

The new Home Inspector’s Handbook from RICS books has been launched. This handbook (priced at £45.00) leads the reader through the background, the training routes, the inspection and reporting duties and provides the tools needed to embark on this new career. Written by Phil Parnham and Chris Rispin, experts in this field and endorsed by RICS, it is essential reading for all practitioners and will help the budding inspector: understand the new role of the Home Inspector, identify the best qualification route, carry out effective inspections of residential property, apply an appropriate condition rating to different building elements and write a report that objectively describes the condition of a property.

English Heritage Strategy 2005-2010

Making The Past Part of Our Future: English Heritage Strategy 2005-2010 outlines what English Heritage will be doing over the next five years to make a real difference to England’s historic environment and to address its most urgent needs. For hard copies of the document please contact English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 333 1181. Also available at: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.8755

Understanding the Building Regulations

Although the UK’s Building Regulations are complex and lengthy, their essential features are relatively straightforward. In this third edition of his bestselling book, Simon Polley brings his brief and practical guide fully up-to-date, with a number of key changes across the text. It is an excellent introduction for students as well as for professionals who want a first-rate entry-level text. Published by Spon Press in paperback at £18.99.

Energy saving publications

The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organisation, funded by government and the private sector, which aims to achieve the sustainable use of energy and cut carbon dioxide emissions. It offers a range of free publications for construction and property professionals covering the building regulations, hard to heat properties, glazing, insulation, lighting, renewable energy, and social housing. To obtain copies visit: www.est.org.uk/

Construction Partnering and Integrated Teamworking

This book by Gill and Mike Thomas is designed to meet the needs of managers in construction who have been given the task of implementing partnering in their firm. It brings together everything necessary to set up a successful partnering relationship. The book is published in paperback by Blackwells at £39.50.

The Architects’ Handbook

The first edition of The Architects’ Handbook by Quentin Pickard has recently been published in paperback by Blackwells. It provides a comprehensive range of visual and technical information covering the great majority of building types likely to be encountered by architects, designers, building surveyors and others involved in the construction industry. Including over 300 case studies, the Handbook is organised by building type and concentrates very much on practical examples so complementing other architects’ reference books. It features:

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  a brief introduction to the key design considerations for each building type;

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  numerous plans, sections and elevations for the building examples;

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  references to key technical standards and design guidance; and

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  a comprehensive bibliography for most building types.

The book also includes sections on designing for accessibility, drawing practice, and metric and imperial conversion tables. It is priced at £29.99.

Modern methods of house construction

The term ”modern methods of construction” covers a broad range of construction types, from complete housing systems built in factories through to new site-based technologies. This guide by K. Ross gives surveyors an insight into how to differentiate between houses built using modern methods of construction and those built using more “traditional” site-based methods. It provides an overview of the principal forms of housing constructed by modern methods to demonstrate the fundamental differences between these methods of construction and those expected to be used on a block and brick cavity based building. Specific examples of the visual clues that can help the surveyor to recognise what form of construction has been used are provided. A checklist to use on site is also included. The book is published by IHS Rapidoc (BRE Bookshop) in paperback at £20.00.

Tall Buildings: A Strategic Design Guide

Tall Buildings: A Strategic Design Guide by the British Council for Offices is an authoritative guide to the key technical aspects to consider in generating, understanding and evaluating tall building proposals. Written by highly respected practitioners with specialist knowledge, the book is aimed at clients, statutory authorities, architects and other agencies seeking to understand tall buildings from a strategic standpoint. The distinct issues under consideration include urban design, architecture, engineering, life safety, construction economics, market economics and building occupancy. Illustrated throughout in full colour, the book’s geographical context is primarily the UK, with a focus on London. It describes the features that distinguish a tall building from those of conventional height in technical, functional, aesthetic and planning terms by reference to case studies such as the Heron, Columbus, London Bridge and Minerva towers, 122 Leadenhall Street, Canary Wharf, Tower 42 and Centrepoint. It is available from RIBA Publications in paperback at £25.00.

Access Audit Handbook

Access Audit Handbook, a planning tool for appraising the accessibility of buildings, is an important new multimedia guide to carrying out and writing up access audits in the context of the Disability Discrimination Act, BS8300 and Approved Document M of the Building Regulations. The book offers straightforward guidance about undertaking access surveys and describes the various report formats to best communicate recommendations. This practical advice is supported by a representative range of fully illustrated case studies and by authoritative worked examples of how to write successful reports based on real life access audits. A series of up-to-date tried and tested auditing checklists are reproduced in the book. Finally, the book contains a companion CD that includes both editable and electronic versions of the checklists and a short film providing a good understanding of what access audits are, their purpose and how to carry one out. Available in paperback from RIBA Publications and priced at £35.00.