As Assigned Certifiers for some of the largest residential developers in Ireland, ORS takes on a crucial role in ensuring compliance with Building Control regulations. We act as the eyes and ears for Building Control, collating all relevant certificates from the Design Team members, sub-contractors, and specialists. This includes installation of and commissioning certificates, as
There has been a shift in urban construction from traditional horizontal to vertical buildings. Design and compliance of the mechanism to travel within these buildings is not as straight forward as one might think. The passenger lift, central to the functionality of the building, can cause an obstacle to meeting completion deadlines of the entire
What is Part M (2010)? In 2010, the Technical Guidance document Part M ‘Access and Use’ was published. Part M (2010) provides guidance on best building practices for adequate access and use of a building and its environs. Part M (2010) also ensures that buildings are designed to be accessible for people of all ranges
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
Brexit versus BC(A)R, it’s the face-off nobody asked for! Following the end of the Brexit transition period on the 31st December 2020, the construction industry in Ireland and the rest of the EU has been left to deal with the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Since UK MPs voted in favour
Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and the Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Buildings and Works (September 2016) requires the building owner to appoint a Design Certifier at the outset of a construction project. The Design Certifier can be a registered architect, building surveyor or chartered engineer. The Design Certifier is responsible for co-ordinating, compiling and
Improvise, adapt, overcome. “Improvise, adapt, overcome” is an unofficial slogan among the U.S. Army Marines made popular by Clint Eastwood’s character Sergeant Thomas Highway in the movie Heartbreak Ridge. Being faced with a challenge is often the time when people are most inventive and when ingenuity and creativity thrive. The challenges faced by people in
Prevention is better than cure It was the famous Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus who was attributed with first coining the phrase ’prevention is better than cure’. From a medical perspective I think we would all be delighted to settle for a cure during the COVID pandemic, however ‘prevention is better than cure’ is also particularly
Visual Contrasts and TGD Part M Compliance TGD Part M (Disability Access) aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. The requirements of Part M (M1 – M4) aim to ensure that regardless of age, size or disability buildings are accessible and usable. Visual contrasts between elements assist
Construction Products Regulation (CPR) Technical Guidance Document Part D (TGD D) provides guidance in relation to Part D of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. It relates to materials and workmanship as inserted by the Building Regulations Part D Amendment 2013 (S.I. No. 224 of 2013). To ensure the quality of materials used in