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Home Building Skills Research Report 2013
Posted on: 15 August 2013
By: mackene
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A new report from the NHBC, the Home Builders Federation, CITB and the Zero Carbon Hub has found that 50% of all home builders and 80% of housing associations are taking on an apprentice in 2013. It also argues that better links between housebuilders, educational establishments and the construction industry are needed and the sector must promote itself better to attract school leavers and the best apprentices.
New changes effected under the Construction Products Regulation
Posted on: 15 August 2013
By: mackene
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The construction industry is facing the most significant change for a decade in the way in which construction products are sold in Europe. The Construction Products Directive 1989 (CPD) was one of the early European Directives designed to create a single market for goods and services. It was introduced to create a common framework for regulations concerning buildings and construction works, and new changes took effect from July 2013. This briefing looks at what has happened.
Changes to Part L of the Building Regulations 2013: Impact assessment
Posted on: 9 August 2013
By: mackene
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This impact assessment sets out the proposed amendments to Part L (conservation of fuel and power) of the Building Regulations. The Government has announced that from 2016 all new homes, and from 2019 all new non-domestic buildings, in England will be built to zero carbon standards and reaffirmed its commitment to implementing ‘zero carbon homes’ from 2016 in the 2013 Budget document. The expectation is that Part L of the Building Regulations, which already sets limits on the emissions of new buildings, will be the regulatory vehicle for achieving the on-site elements of these zero carbon standards. Changes to the regulations in 2013 have been developed to act in part as an interim step on the trajectory towards achieving zero carbon standards.
Farrell Review of Architecture & the Built Environment: RIBA Response
Posted on: 8 August 2013
By: mackene
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The RIBA has submitted evidence to the Farrell Review, a review of architecture and the built environment being led by Sir Terry Farrell and commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. In its response, the RIBA called for the introduction of a Built Environment Design policy and the appointment of a Chief Built Environment Design Adviser within government in order to embed a more ambitious approach to design in the built environment. The RIBA also called for government to show greater leadership as a client, recommending a series of reforms to public procurement and the use of public land designed to put greater emphasis on design quality.
Economy of sustainable construction
Posted on: 8 August 2013
By: mackene
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The latest issue of “Foundations”, the magazine of the Holcim Foundation, is dedicated to the 4th International Holcim Forum which took place in Mumbai, India, and focused on the importance of sustainable construction in driving economic development. The 80-page publication is a summary of the Holcim Forum, attended by some 350 representatives of various industries and disciplines from around 40 countries. It includes an array of photos of participants and the four Forum workshops where participants exchanged their ideas and took part in topic-related excursions to sites in the city of Mumbai. The workshops covered improvement of informal settlements, densification, urban metabolism, and gains delivered by sustainable buildings.
Asia Construction Outlook 2013
Posted on: 5 August 2013
By: mackene
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This paper provides an overview of the construction market in Asia midway through 2013. It reviews industry activity levels in 2012 and provides near and longer term forecasts for construction activity by region, country and city. The findings are based on analysis of sector statistics combined with the results of an in-house market sentiment survey.
Cost analysis and benchmarking
Posted on: 26 July 2013
By: mackene
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This guidance note summarises the purpose and process of both cost analysis and construction project benchmarking. It is based on current practice within the UK and covers the general principles applying to each operation. It does not seek to cover every approach to cost analysis or benchmarking but looks at the subject areas from a practical aspect.
Government construction: Construction cost reductions, cost benchmarks, and cost reduction trajectories to March 2013
Posted on: 25 July 2013
By: mackene
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This is the second year that government has published construction cost benchmark data as part of the broader implementation of the Government Construction Strategy. The Strategy outlines the detailed measures that are being implemented in order to match the best in private sector delivery of construction projects. This publication therefore reports on the progress government departments are already making in achieving this objective and how they want to go further. Private clients and construction suppliers are therefore invited to work with government in order to share in the learning that comes from comparing cost benchmarks and practices.
Fire risk during construction: design and specification implications
Posted on: 25 July 2013
By: mackene
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Following a number of recent major fires on construction sites, Neil Storkes, NBS Technical Author and Architect, summarizes the requirements of the CDM Regulations, current fire legislation and HSE guidance, and reviews the implications for the design and specification of projects.
Spotlight on…cycle safety
Posted on: 25 July 2013
By: mackene
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The Considerate Constructors Scheme has launched its new ‘Spotlight on…’ initiative which aims to look at different areas associated with improving the image of construction, and hopes to raise awareness among registered sites and companies on how they can help with the issue. Each area highlighted in ‘Spotlight on…’ will feature facts on the topic, as well as information on what the UK, and more specifically the construction industry, is doing to help tackle the issue. Also included are examples of best practice that have been witnessed by the Scheme’s Monitors when visiting registered sites and companies. The Scheme’s website now features the new ‘Spotlight on…’ section (found under CCS) where it is hoped that the industry will use it as the first place to look to access more information about various issues currently affecting the industry. The first area the Scheme’s shining a spotlight on is the issue of cycle safety and how the UK, and the industry, is promoting cycle safety.
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