The energy sector has experienced an increase in fuel costs across the board in the last 12 months, which has prompted many businesses to reevaluate their energy use to find ways to reduce energy costs. The SEAI recently launched the Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) that allows small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to appoint
A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a review undertaken at a facility to assess the fire risk associated with operations on site. An FRA is a requirement for compliance with EPA licenses and examines potential fire hazards against management measures implemented for the facility’s safe operation. Objectives The purpose of a Fire Risk Assessment is
In recent years there has been irrefutable global interest in environmental protection. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, “Carbon Footprints”, “Sustainability” were once insignificant terms but are fast becoming some of the most finely considered elements in business today. Information is now at our fingertips with the insurgence of social media platforms in the last decade. Consumers are
Mental Health and Wellbeing is now becoming a critical part of the construction industry’s safety culture. Covid-19 has further highlighted how important this is now and for the future. Minor improvements in our well being can increase our ability to lead a more fulfilling life. Keeping Active: Many studies have found that being physically active
A DMURS Quality Audit (QA) is a defined process independent of the design team. However, it requires involvement through the project’s planning, design and construction stages to ensure that high-quality infrastructure or streetscapes are delivered and maintained. The DMURS Quality Audit process is applied to new highway, traffic management or public realm projects. The QA
By their very nature, development projects are complex. Numerous elements must be considered to ensure developments satisfy planning requirements and that the proposed scheme can be constructed according to quality and compliance standards. Design teams can often overlook the detailed design of road infrastructure during the planning stages. The crucial details of new internal roadways, public road access or junctions are
After a long period of uncertainty, Ireland’s construction sector is booming again with a significant increase of on-site activity at sites nationwide. A thriving construction sector is crucial to the country’s economic recovery and paramount to easing the housing crisis however it is important that such activity is not at the expense of our environment. Increasingly local authorities are demanding that developers pay due care to the environment. As a result, construction environmental management plans (CEMPs) are becoming a standard tool utilised
From 1st August 2021, the UK government has introduced an additional requirement to building safety regulations. The government has defined three separate gateway points – these are the points at which the building owner must demonstrate compliance during the design and building of a new high rise. The new regime will introduce a number of
The Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process was introduced in 2017 as part of Rebuilding Ireland to help expedite the planning application process and accelerate the delivery of larger housing and student accommodation developments. Developments comprising of over 100 residential units and/or student accommodation comprising 200 or more bed spaces are eligible to go through the
As energy users become more energy-efficient and reduce energy demand, the next steps in mitigating reliance on fossil fuels are identifying and implementing appropriate and site-specific renewable energy technologies. Renewable energy technologies allow homeowners, SMEs, public-owned buildings, and large industrial plants and public sector organisations to generate electricity, consume it onsite, improve self-sufficiency, and reduce