Apr27th
Friday, April 27th, 2007
Earlier this month the construction industry launched a £1m campaign to encourage graduates to consider a career in building. The CITB is offering 60 packages to students, providing them with funds of up to £9,000 to support them at university. With adverts now in changing rooms in High Street stores, it is hoped to increase the number of women entering the industry. (more…)
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Apr19th
Thursday, April 19th, 2007
In a study by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors published earlier this month, we heard how the strong housing market and buoyant commercial property sector have boosted growth in UK construction. Let’s hope the Bank of England remember this when they look at interest rates. (more…)
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Apr13th
Friday, April 13th, 2007
More news this week from CIRIA about construction procurement opportunities in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics. If you are interested, the Construction Productivity Network have seminars on the subject at their summer workshops.
For those involved in trying to achieve Level 3 of the new Code for Sustainable Homes, researchers at Cyril Sweett tell us that the extra cost will be around 3% more than old standard of EcoHomes ‘Very Good’. However, on the plus side, the new Code means a 25% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per home, and water usage savings of 21 litres per person per day. So significant gains. You can also check out the new ‘Sustainable London’ exhibition at The Building Centre, London, which includes three interesting projects from Working Architecture Group.
Plasterboard manufacturers signed a voluntary agreement this week. It was brokered by the Gypsum Products Development Association and should result in a significant reduction in the amount of waste plasterboard sent to landfill.
The new Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) legislation is set to have a huge impact on our industry. In response, the Professional Contractors Group have launched PCG Construction to help protect construction industry contractors and demystify the legislation for self-employed workers.
We have had news of a number of industry guides published this week on Buildingtalk including one from Stannah on current Lift Regulations and Standards. Shackerley is offering architects and other specifiers a useful free CD-ROM design tool and Haddonstone has also launched a useful CD-ROM.
Finally some good news for those interested in conserving parts of the City of London threatened by a number of tall towers that are being planned. English Heritage are on the case and have again urged Islington council to reject Squire and Partners 39-storey building close to Finsbury Square. We have had some great buildings changing the London skyline for the better but vigilance is required if we are not to repeat the kind of mistakes that led to St Paul’s being crowded out.
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Apr5th
Thursday, April 5th, 2007
Microgeneration installation got a boost this week with the UK Government announcing plans to slash red-tape on domestic energy to make it easier for householders to put up solar panels and wind turbines on their homes. It means householders will no longer need to apply for planning if there is little or no impact on neighbouring properties. In the new Energy White Paper unveiled last week , the government wants to increase by eight fold the number of households who are energy producers as well as consumers.
The new Construction Industry Scheme launched on Good Friday means, for example, that contractors will have to check the employment status of their workers. While some contractors fully understand the implications on their insurance, many have not grasped its significance and consequently are leaving themselves exposed PricewaterhouseCoopers have provided us with a summary of all the main issues that businesses need to take on board.
In this weeks Buildingtalk newsletter we also publish details of summary sheets from the ICOM Energy Association which explain Compliance with Part L in non-domestic premises. For those who want to get to grips with the new Code for Sustainable Homes, H+H Celcon is running a new series of free CPD seminars.
Chubb Fire launch a new Guide to Fire Safety Solutions written specifically for IT Managers, and Chiltern International Fire publish free technical information sheets aimed at contractors, architects, specifiers and facilities managers, particularly of heritage properties.
WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) has launched a new online tool, which will support the construction industry to increase recycled content in building work and meet minimum requirements. Also in the world of adhesives, BAL have launched a online specification facility.
Finally, news this week that Rafael Vinoly has been chose over Norman Foster to to head the masterplan to regenerate Battersea Power Station in London. This is a spectacular landmark building which, as he says, is ‘one of the most exciting prospects for the future of London’.
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