Structural Survey and the Internet

Structural Survey

ISSN: 0263-080X

Article publication date: 1 December 2001

74

Citation

Todd, S. (2001), "Structural Survey and the Internet", Structural Survey, Vol. 19 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2001.11019eag.001

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited


Structural Survey and the Internet

Stephen Todd

The Web site information in this volume includes some key sites and other new resources. If there are any other sites that you find particularly useful, please E-mail me at S.Todd@salford.ac.uk

The Building Research Establishment(www.bre.co.uk)

The BRE's Website contains a wealth of information and "looks at the whole picture":

  • the whole of the built environment, its components and materials;

  • the whole life of a structure and its impact on the environment;

  • the whole user experience, the whole picture, the whole user experience, the whole answer.

The homepage gives information or links to:

  1. 1.

    Our services.

  2. 2.

    Search BRE.

  3. 3.

    About BRE.

  4. 4.

    BRE Bookshop.

  5. 5.

    Insight.

  6. 6.

    Ask BRE.

  7. 7.

    BRE projects site, which gives details of specific projects at BRE and includes information on:

  8. 8.
    • concrete and masonry projects;

    • timber and composites projects;

    • building services, ventilation, noise and air quality issues;

    • fire, risk and security projects;

    • "Green" issues, whole life, sustainability, building perfomance and’use;

    • others.

  9. 9.

    Foundation for the Built Environment – BRE's owners' site.

  10. 10.

    BRE certification – includes LPCB and Wimlas approvals.

WIMLAS is an assessment and approval body providing independent, third-party technical approvals of the fitness for use of building products. It is both UKAS accredited and an ETA (European Technical Approvals) issuing body in the following product areas:

  • pre-fabricated building systems;

  • flooring systems;

  • walling and partition systems;

  • doors and windows;

  • thermal insulation systems;

  • wall and roof cladding systems;

  • membranes;

  • drainage and plumbing systems (excluding pressurised systems).

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors(www.rics.org.uk)

The RICS Website main menu includes:

  1. 1.

    Members site – latest events, news and educational resources etc.

  2. 2.

    RICS faculties.

  3. 3.

    RICS regions.

  4. 4.

    About RICS.

  5. 5.

    RICS foundation.

  6. 6.

    Careers in surveying.

  7. 7.

    Dispute resolution service.

  8. 8.

    Government and media affairs.

  9. 9.

    The bookshop.

  10. 10.

    Search for a surveying firm.

  11. 11.

    RICS sites – including:

    • ricsonline, which is a site for members of the RICS and property related professionals;

    • building cost information service, which gives current, accurate information on UK building costs, tender prices and building maintenance;

    • RICS books;

    • European Society of Chartered Surveyors, which acts as a single voice for all chartered surveyors working in Europe;

    • The RICS Research Foundation, which focuses on research into the built and natural environments.

Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme(www.energy-efficiency.gov.uk)

The Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme (EEBPP) is a UK Government programme designed to provide free information to organisations to help them cut their energy bills. The topics covered include:

  • chp;

  • climate change levy;

  • design advice;

  • enhanced capital allowances;

  • transport.

Environmental Transport Association(www.eta.co.uk)

The ETA conducts and commissions research into environmental transport issues and lobbies the government to encourage its support of alternatives to the car.

US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Centre(www.afdc.nrel.gov)

This US site includes information on:

  • alternative fuels;

  • alternative fuel vehicles;

  • refuelling sites;

  • fleet information;

  • FAQs;

  • resources and documents;

  • what's new;

  • upcoming events;

  • periodicals.

Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR)(www.dtlr.gov.uk)

This site is describes the work of the DTLR and includes sections on:

  • construction;

  • environmental protection;

  • housing – details housing policies, publications and research;

  • integrated transport;

  • local government;

  • disabled access;

  • planning;

  • regeneration;

  • roads and the countryside;

  • current publications and press releases.

Housing Corporation(www.housingcorp.gov.uk)

This Website includes news and publications and information for RSLs (registered social landlords). The Housing Corporation's mission is "raising the standard for homes and neighbourhoods".

The Housing Corporation's key aims are:

  • to regulate to promote a viable, properly governed and properly managed housing association sector;

  • to invest for the creation and maintenance of safe and sustainable communities;

  • to champion a resident focus in the housing association sector; and

  • to be a modern, customer-centred, forward-looking organisation, encouraging change in the sector.

National Housing Federation(www.housing.org.uk)

The National Housing Federation is the body that represents the independent social housing sector. They have around 1,400 non-profit housing organisations currently in membership who own or manage around 1.4 million homes.

Joint Environmental Markets Unit (JEMU)(www.dti.gov.uk/jemu)

This government unit promotes and supports the UK environmental industry. The Website contains a large quantity of information concerning global market opportunities and sources of funding for environmental projects. It also links to UK sources of environmental technology, services and expertise.

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