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
Latent Defects Insurance (LDI) is a form of insurance that provides cover to new-build premises in the event of an inherent defect in the design, workmanship or materials which may become apparent in the structure or waterproofing envelope of a building after practical completion, resulting in physical loss or damage. This form of insurance policy
The RESS 1 is the first component of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme by the Irish Government and is a central element to the Governments Climate Action Plan. According to Eirgrid, 82 projects have been deemed successful in the recent RESS 1 Auction. This equates to approximately 1275.536 MW of generated power that can potentially
Environmental compliance monitoring is a legal necessity. It is part of corporate accountability and an efficient and effective way to avoid unnecessary loss of resources. Environmental compliance management ensures that: Compliance tasks are completed on time and assigned to competent professionals. Data is refined and uploaded correctly. Nothing is overlooked from a legislative and compliance
In the event of an emergency, emergency lighting is the first line of escape. This is part of an active fire prevention system and is installed throughout all building types as part of the safety provisions of a building. The emergency lighting system is an integral part of the overall design of a building to
Cracking is a relatively common feature in all buildings, regardless of age or form of construction. Types and severity of cracking vary widely from cracking in non-structural finishes due to drying and shrinkage of material up to more severe forms which have a destabilising effect on the building structure. This article focuses on cracking which
Construction is often regarded as a high hazard industry, with inherent risks and a poorer safety record than other sectors. There can be a long list of construction site hazards, depending on the project type, project stage, construction techniques and safety management system. However, with good design, planning, management and hazard awareness, construction can improve
Employers have long adopted hybrid working. It goes beyond remote working, which was implemented without warning or preparation for many businesses in 2020. In simple terms, it involves an arrangement for people, teams or organisations to work at multiple locations – in the office or remotely. In a post Covid-19 world, a multiple location work