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This paper deals with the fire resistance of primary and secondary beam connections in timber structures.

This paper describes a series of unloaded and loaded furnace fire tests in different configurations of these types of connectors.

The main objective is the fire safety design of joist hangers and full thread screws.

Design recommendations are given.

Zinc coatings to combat corrosion in a wide range of structural steelwork and general metalwork are specified in the Greater London Council's (G.L.C.) Preambles to Bills of Quantities. Typical applications are on dustbins, children's playground equipment, structural sections and building components. Hot dip galvanising is generally preferred for protecting structural steel and ferrous metalwork in aggressive conditions or inaccessible places. The galvanised metal must comply with BS 729: 1971; after fabrication it is coated in one operation by complete immersion in the zinc bath and all excess is removed. The finished surface should be clean and uniform. Zinc coatings to BS 2989: 1982 are used for interior applications where it is normally dry. Zinc spray to BS 2569: Part 1: 1964 is specified where the size of members prohibits hot dip galvanising. Zinc coatings may be covered with paint or plastic coatings to provide additional protection and improve appearance. Designers are advised to consult BS 5493: 1977 or DD 24: 1973 for guidance on how to specify protective systems.

Considers the development in construction of subfloors. Examines the various parts of the subfloor system. Discusses the need for and provision of subfloor ventilation. Shows that the main developments in subfloor ventilation have occurred in the last 30 years of the twentieth century. Highlights the dangers in overlooking the importance of subfloors to the performance of ground floors.

This paper is based on a research project sponsored by the DTI, with contributions from construction industry partners. The principal objective of the research was to generate data (based on a sample of new‐build housing schemes) about the levels of compliance with Building Regulations and standards typically achieved in England and Wales.

The field research consisted of a triangulation of three research methods. A series of observations of 11 speculative housing projects (in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire) during construction. A questionnaire survey of occupants of recently completed speculatively built houses. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed in eight housing developments completed 9‐15 months previously. Semi‐structured interviews with six building control inspectors, both local authority and approved inspectors.

The general conclusions are that levels of compliance were not always sufficient, though there was no evidence of systematic and purposeful non‐compliance with building regulations. Faults were largely due to lack of skills and knowledge of the required standards on the part of the operatives, and shortcomings in site management and toleration of sub‐standard workmanship.

The surveys were limited to projects by national or regional scale housing developers on mainly medium‐large size house developments that included semi‐detached, detached and townhouses.

The recommendations point to the need for more initial and continuing training of tradesmen, both in trade skills and knowledge of the provisions of building regulations, and more rigorous site management procedures adopted, particularly when pressure for completion is at its greatest.

The value of the paper is linked to the originality of the research; prior to it, reliable evidence of the scale and extent of non‐compliance with Building Regulations in the UK was not recorded in any publicly available source.

Explains ways to mitigate the effects of various species of pests in dwellings, dealing with three distinct groups ‐ insects, rodents and birds. There are now many other species, apart from fleas, lice and bedbugs, which have evolved to capitalize on the more recent environmental modifications which man has undertaken. Looks at several objections, apart from the aesthetic, to the presence of pests in dwellings including significant risks to health, deterioration of the structure itself and economic loss. Examines potential pest problems which may arise in new designs/construction and suggest possible solutions.

Points to the decline of “craftsmanship” as a factor leading to the demise of the ability to control timber decay in an environmentally‐friendly fashion. Considers pesticides and other chemical‐based treatments as a lower‐cost, relatively recent, but often unsuccessful remedy to timber decay. Outlines major timber‐decay problems: dry rot, wet rot and woodboring insects, and their detection techniques. Includes diagrams and detailed discussion on remedial treatments. Concludes that timber decay cannot be effectively treated without an understanding of the interaction of the external environment, building materials, design and content, and the activities within and occupants of a building, and that manipulation of a single variable (timber decay organisms) is bound to be unsuccessful without such understanding.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the thermo-mechanical behavior of intermediate-size glued-laminated beam-to-girder assemblies connected with T-shaped slotted-in steel doweled connections at ambient temperature (AT), after and during non-standard fire exposure.

AT tests were performed using a universal testing machine (UTM) to evaluate the load-carrying capacity and failure modes of the assembly at room temperature. Post-fire-performance (PFP) tests were conducted to study the impact of 30-min and 60-min partial exposure to a non-standard fire on the residual strength of the assemblies. The assemblies were subject to fire in a custom-designed frame, then cooled and loaded to failure in the UTM. A fire-performance test was conducted to investigate the fire-resistance during non-standard fire exposure by simultaneously applying fire and mechanical load with the custom frame.

At AT, embedment failure of the dowels followed by brittle splitting failure were found to be the dominant failure modes in the beams. In the PFP tests, embedment failure and plastic bending of the dowels were the only observed failure modes. The residual strength of the assembly was reduced by 23.7% after 30-min and 47.8% after 60-min of fire exposure. Ductile embedment failure of the timber in contact with the dowels was the only failure mode observed during the fire-performance test, with the maximum rate of displacement at 57 min into the fire.

Data are presented for full-contact (no gap) connections in Glulam assemblies. PFP results are first to be published.

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Small architectural firms (those that employ less than six people) account for an estimated 4525 or 74% of the total number of practices in the UK (RIBA, 2000), and market research has shown that there is a poor uptake of existing project specification information technologies in this sector. We present the results of an analysis of the ways that small practices currently create, manage and communicate project specification information and an overview of our research into new models to support these processes. The research has focused on the creation and population of appropriate, re‐usable information models and we describe these in the context of other modelling initiatives in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. The research has resulted in the definition of a large pool of domain specific data objects, which have the potential to provide a generic information resource for the industry. The Architectural Informatics Group, in conjunction with the National Building Specification (NBS), have implemented the results of this research through the development of a new commercial software tool for use in small design practices in the UK.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.