Recent publications

Citation

(2012), "Recent publications", Structural Survey, Vol. 30 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2012.11030daa.004

Recent publications

Recent publications

Article Type: Recent publications From: Structural Survey, Volume 30, Issue 4.

Watts Pocket Handbook 2012

Written by practising experts, the 28th edition of Watts Pocket Handbook has been the standard resource for the property and construction industry since 1983. This new edition covers technical and legal guidance on all aspects of property and construction. It contains new and revised information not found in the old edition. It is available at £27.95 from www.ricsbooks.com or call +44 (0)870 333 1600.

Metric Handbook – new edition

The Metric Handbook is the major handbook of planning and design data for property professionals. Covering basic design data for all the major building types it is the ideal starting point for any project. For each building type, the book gives the basic design requirements and all the principal dimensional data, and succinct guidance on how to use the information and what regulations the designer needs to be aware of. As well as buildings, the Metric Handbook deals with broader aspects of design such as materials, acoustics and lighting, and general design data on human dimensions and space requirements. The Metric Handbook really is the unique reference for solving everyday planning problems. The author is David Littleford and the price £39.99.

BCIS Rebuild Online

BCIS Rebuild Online provides the latest accurate figures for estimating the cost of rebuilding a house, for insurance purposes. Updated monthly it uses figures expertly compiled, validated and maintained by BCIS. It reflects the impact of the current building regulations as well as green features. The methodology involves entering location, size and age factors and specification of the property to be rebuilt. Rebuild Online retrieves a model closest to those factors and shows you all the workings such as number of bathrooms and cloakrooms used to refine the model. Guidance is given on making adjustments for extra facilities like garages and conservatories. In addition BCIS have announced that their Online Rates Database has an important addition. Minor Works in SMM7 is now available exclusively online. To subscribe telephone +44 (0) 870 333 1600.

Fire Safety in Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the FSO) came into force in October 2006. It brought the common parts of blocks of flats within the scope of mainstream fire safety legislation for the first time. Guidance on the FSO and its requirements has been issued in a series of guides. Blocks of flats are included, among many other types of residential premises, in the HM Government guide “Fire safety risk assessment: sleeping accommodation” published by the Department for Communities and Local Government. However, application of the FSO to blocks of flats has proved problematic: it has led to widely varying outcomes. In some buildings, significant work to upgrade fire safety standards within the common parts has been undertaken to satisfy this legislation. In others, none has been considered necessary. There has also been confusion over the scope of this legislation: how it relates to those who live in the flats, and, indeed, to what extent, if any, this legislation can require improvements beyond the flat entrance door. These are just two of the questions that tax those seeking to apply and enforce it. Guidance on this complex issue is available free at www.local.gov.uk/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=71e152a6-9e0a-4810-aee6-498167664f79&groupId=10161

Sustainability and Residential Property Valuation

This RICS information paper examines how sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in legislation and patterns of economic behaviours and preferences in the UK and aims to help valuers consider sustainability issues and their implications when undertaking valuations of residential property in the UK. The IP includes reference to the main UK legislative and regulatory provisions that impact, or are considered likely to impact, residential value and points to areas of future legislation of other potential significance. It details environmental factors including energy, waste, water and flooding, together with social factors such as accessibility and health and well-being. In addition, information is provided on how these and other factors may influence the value of residential property through design, construction or the ongoing occupational or investment demand for the asset.

The IP is available to RICS members at www.rics.org/site/download_feed.aspx?fileID=10453&fileExtension=PDF

Computer Aided Design Guide for Architecture, Engineering and Construction

By Ghassan Aouad, Song Wu, Angela Lee and Timothy Onyenobi this book provides an in-depth explanation of all the common CAD terms and tools used in the AEC sector. It describes each approach to CAD with detailed analysis and practical examples. Analysis is provided of the strength and weaknesses of each application for all members of the project team, followed by review questions and further tasks. Coverage includes 2D CAD, 3D CAD, 4D CAD, nD modelling, building information modelling, parametric design, virtual reality and other areas of future expansion. Published by Routledge (136 pages) in paperback (ISBN 978-0-415-49507-3) and hardback (ISBN 978-0-415-49505-9).

Building Contract Claims

Covering all the major and commonly used building contracts, this book considers the legal basis of building contract claims and shows what can and cannot be claimed, providing the contractor and contract administrator with a simple, concise and effective source of information for use when preparing, submitting or defending against a claim. The basic principles of building contract claims are often not well understood by the industry so many building contract claims are ill founded. This book sets out the legal basis of claims for additional payment, and shows what can and cannot be claimed under the main forms of contract. Fully updated, covering the latest contracts, court judgements and building practices. The book is written by David Chappell and available from RICS Books price £87.50.

Art Deco House Styles

In his new book Trevor Yorke uses his own drawings and photographs to explain the distinctive features and details of genuine Art Deco homes with chapters on the architecture and exterior, the notable architects and their work, and the furnishings and fittings which characterized the interiors. For anyone who simply wants to recognise the style, understand the contribution of key characters and appreciate what makes Art Deco houses special, this book will be a colourful and easy-to-follow introduction to the subject. Drawing inspiration from ancient Egyptian forms and modern architecture, Art Deco is arguably the most distinctive style of the twentieth century and the innovative and glamorous designs of the period are still highly sought after by house buyers and homeowners today. This is an excellent perfect book for those who want to learn more about the artistic influences of these years. Published by Countryside Books (www.countrysidebooks.co.uk) at £6.95 (ISBN 978 1 84674 247 7).

Comparable Evidence in Property Valuation

This RICS information paper outlines the principles of comparable evidence use, encourages consistency in application and addresses issues of availability and use under challenging market conditions. Available to RICS members via the web site at www.rics.org/site/scripts/download_info.aspx?fileID=11221&categoryID=452

Building Regulations in Brief – new edition

This popular guide to the building regulations, Building Regulations in Brief is updated regularly to reflect constant changes. The latest edition includes the significant amendments to Building Regulations, Planning Permission and the Approved Documents that occurred in October 2010 and includes changes to Parts F and L, as well as Approved Documents A, C and J. There are also changes reflecting the consolidation of the building regulations included. The authors are Ray Tricker and Samantha Alford and the book is priced at £26.99.

Zero-Carbon Homes: A Road Map

Written by Joanna Williams and published by Routledge this book explores the diverse approaches that are being adopted around the world to deliver zero-carbon homes and the different societal systems and geographic circumstances in which they have developed. Providing homes that achieve “zero carbon”, “carbon neutral”, “zero-net energy” or “energy-plus” standard is becoming the goal of more innovative house-builders globally, whilst energy providers seek to decarbonise the energy supply to new and existing development.

Various new technical systems for achieving these goals are beginning to emerge. For example the passive house whose energy requirement for space heating and cooling is almost zero; the smart grid that has revolutionized the management of energy, whilst enabling the connection of small-scale, renewable energy producers and electric vehicles to the grid; or the European super-grid which will enable zero-carbon energy to be generated in the Sahara desert and stored in Norway. The book postulates a roadmap for delivering zero-carbon homes, together with a toolbox approach for policy and practice to suit particular national and local circumstances. It is available in paperback (ISBN 978-1-84971-249-1) at £29.99 or hardback (ISBN 978-1-84971-248-4) at £100.00.