Policy & Regulations

The latter months of 2020 saw many sensational headlines in the media around the ongoing investigation into the Grenfell disaster. It is important to focus on the facts rather than the headlines, and video coverage of the evidence can be viewed here: grenfelltowerinquiry.org.uk/

This case of improvised solution on domestic projects emphasises the need for better information sharing and competence in resolving unforeseen clashes safely.

Part L and F are changing to weave energy efficiency, ventilation and overheating risk into a co-ordinated policy and, as Elaine Knutt discovers, it sees a shift in focus from CO2 to primary energy.

The Competitions and Markets Authority has announced, along with the Institute of Risk Management, the release of the updated Competition Law Risk Guide.

September’s NHBC Foundation report The Future for Home Heating - life without fossil fuels explores the implications of designing and building low-energy homes, in particular, what life without the gas boiler is going to look like.

Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy three years ago, work has been ongoing to raise standards across building safety.

CABE Technical Director Richard Harral provides an update on industry-led work to support improvements in built environment competence.

In the absence of this year’s Gala Dinner to announce the Built Environment Awards, CABE held a Round Table to discuss the important issues facing the industry and drew attention to the Award winners. Dr Gavin Dunn C.BUILD E FCABE chairs: Richard Harral C.BUILD E FCABE, Jayne Hall PCABE C.BUILD E FCABE, Rev Kevin Fear HON FCABE and Liz Male MBE.

Dave Cooper, Managing Director of independent lift consultants LECS (UK), looks at the life-cycle of a lift’s operations, documentation, legal obligations and standards

Glyn Thomas FCABE, Managing Director for Premier Guarantee Building Control, discusses proposals to transform the way new high-rise residential buildings are treated

The Planning for the future consultation proposes reforms of the planning system to streamline and modernise the planning process: bring a new focus to design and sustainability; improve the system of developer contributions to infrastructure; and ensure more land is available for development where it is needed.

In response to the government’s white paper Planning for the Future, Cllr Mark Crane, District Councils’ Network, said: “Getting the country building again will be a vital part of the national recovery from Coronavirus.

The Draft Building Safety Bill now available

On 1 January 2021, amendments to Approved Document M: Access to and use of buildings, Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellings will come into effect

The term housing crisis was in use long before Covid-19 forced everyone to down tools. Off-site construction, modular and prefabricated building could make up for lost time but, as Elaine Knutt asks, is it really that simple?

Multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy Cundall has named 2020 the Year of Net Zero.

Dave Allen, Business Unit Director at Bureau Veritas’ Construction Division, says now is the time to get your house in order.

Martin Lambley, Wavin’s Product Manager for stormwater management, reviews how new guidance on sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) will impact the building industry.

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has published its response to phase 1 of the Grenfell Public inquiry.