News

CityFibre and its construction partner Callan Connect are testing on a live construction site a new technology that prevents hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), also known as white finger.

The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin has had extensive refurbishment and modernisation of its historic wings on Merrion Square at a cost of €30m.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has launched an updated version of its design quality evaluation tool, the Design Quality Indicator for Health 2 (DQIfH2), which will contribute to improved design, long term functionality and sustainability of future hospital new build and major adaption and refurbishment projects.

University scientists have been working with Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Innosuisse within the framework of the Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research (SCCER), together with industrial partners, to investigate whether electricity can be stored in rock caverns in the form of compressed air.

Cutting air pollution and improving green spaces in cities would immediately improve the health of the poorest people in society, notes a report from the European Environment Agency.

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.

Ideal Industries has launched a Student Safe Isolation Kit, designed especially for trainee electricians.

The CIOB report Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment shows 26% of construction industry professionals thought about taking their own lives in 2019 – before the Covid-19 pandemic had hit the industry – and 97% recorded being stressed at least once in the last year.

The government has asked tradespeople to sign up to the TrustMark accreditation scheme ahead of the September of the £2bn Green Homes Grant scheme in England.

A research paper by Iman Farah Mohamed published in the International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, suggests that 37% of those surveyed believe industry knowledge on fire safety is inadequate and 28% believe university curricula provide sufficient education on fire-proofing buildings.

REHAU is advising that contractors consider fire safety regulations more closely alongside acoustic performance when specifying soil and waste drainage solutions for high-rise developments.

Congratulations Kyran Sze, CABE Hong Kong Chapter Chair, for his award of Honorary Fellowship by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

Alcohol-based hand sanitisers used in the fight against Covid-19 are flammable.

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.

Industry bodies have welcomed the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) publication of the draft Building Safety Bill, together with its associated guidance and the Home Office’s publication of the Fire Safety Consultation.

September marks the start of the new financial year for the Association, and the start of the new membership year for most of our members.

The Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) has launched its new, ground-breaking Pathways programme to transform the lives of young disabled Londoners.

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

Leadership organisations from across the building control sector have come together in the ‘Future of building control working group’ to develop 11 key recommendations for the future oversight and regulation of the profession and Building Control Bodies.