News

It has been a month of firsts for me. My first outing since the Coronavirus lockdown to a safe and discrete inauguration at HQ; donning the presidential chain for the first time; chairing my first CABE virtual board; my first attempt at crowd control through digital means; and my first welcome page in Building Engineer as your new President. 

In response to ONS data showing that construction output dropped by 5.9%, driven by a 5.1% decrease in repair and maintenance, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said:

The Construction Industry Council Low Value Disputes Model Adjudication Procedure (CIC LVD MAP) launched via a webinar during lockdown.

The Royal Albert Hall in west London is distinctive for its unique circular architecture and Victorian styling.

Adrian Buttress, Managing Director at Permaroof, has the following advice for working during the Covid-19 pandemic:

UCEM’s BSc (Hons) Building Control programme and Building Control Surveyor Degree apprenticeship have been accredited by CABE.

Historic England has launched a second emergency fund to support the heritage sector recovery from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

In late May a new £1bn building safety fund to remove dangerous cladding from high-rise buildings was announced.

The government has published an amendment to the statutory guidance to building safety regulations – otherwise known as Approved Document B.

Responding to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee report on cladding remediation, Lord Porter of the Local Government Association (LGA) said:

The Sustainable Energy Association has sent an open letter to the Minister of State and the government to support the Domestic Premises (Energy Performance) Bill/EPC band C.

In June the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published the Roadmap to Recovery plan.

At the NBS Construction Product Leaders’ Summit, Dame Judith Hackitt noted that the construction supply chain must change to take maximum advantage of digital technology and made it clear construction materials manufacturers must improve their standards, processes and digital toolkit.

Scottish energy firm Biskit Controls has become the latest business to demonstrate an innovation in the Energy System Catapult’s 100-home Living Lab.

Amy Flemming makes a case in The Guardian for cities to embrace an anthropological approach to planning that works with nature, instead of embracing smart systems.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidance Indoor air quality
at home noted that as we spend 90% of our lives inside, poor air quality within buildings affects our health.

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

The Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, has published a further update on measures stemming from the Building Safety Programme aimed at ensuring that residents are safe, and feel safe, in their homes.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has published new guidance for the planning and construction industry to create a more resilient and nature-rich urban environment.

EnerPHit is the gold standard of performance for existing buildings. James Traynor’s practical guide provides architects and designers the tools to retrofit our existing buildings.