Citation
Todd, S. (2001), "Structural Survey and the Internet", Structural Survey, Vol. 19 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2001.11019bag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Structural Survey and the Internet
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 press releases section on the BRE's site includes information on:
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Forthcoming seminars and courses.
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New publications including:
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– "Protective measures for housing on gas contaminated land".
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– Guidance for those maintaining and repairing RC structures.
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– "Potential implications of climate change in the built environment".
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– Good Building Guide CBG 43 looks at insulated profiled metal roofing highlighting typical profiled metal roof constructions, some potential technical difficulties associated with the use of increased ventilation, and design issues that should be considered.
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Current research including:
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– A policy brief on UK domestic water consumption.
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– Development of improved displacement ventilation technologies.
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– Investigation of the effective use of water efficient appliances and products in housing.
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– Cabin air quality in commercial passenger aircraft.
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Other information:
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– The DETR is funding the BRE to set up a Web-based system whereby clients or designers can lodge details of their completed (or planned) projects that demonstrate aspects of sustainable design.
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– BRE's wind loading software – "BREe" has been updated and re-issued.
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– The BRE is to assist in the 2001 English House Condition Survey.
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– BRE announces results of the TF2000 fire test research programme.
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– Completion of deconstruction and re-use of materials project.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors(www.rics.org.uk)
The RICS Web site main menu structure remains the same as previously and includes ricsonline. Ricsonline has been developed for RICS members and others with a direct interest in the surveying profession. It aims to provide relevant and specific information together with exclusive products and services and includes details on:
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RICS Awards 2001.
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RICS-commissioned research on attitudes to commercial leases.
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Faculties micro-site.
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Report on valuers and valuations giving details on the working of the commercial property investment market.
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Research Foundation which focuses on research into the built and natural environments.
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RICS events.
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CPD.
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RICS firm directory.
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CSM.
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What's new.
Other sites
The British Wood-preserving and Damp-proofing Association(www.bwpda.co.uk)
This site describes the BWPDA trade association and gives access to standard specifications and leaflets on all aspects of wood treatment and damp control. The site also links to IRG – The International Research Group on wood preservation.
GPT: Guarantee Protection Trust(www.gptprotection.co.ukM)
This site gives information on insurance backed guarantees issued by the remedial treatments industry. The site structure includes:
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Why the GPT?
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What is covered?
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What can be guaranteed?
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Approved contractors.
SEDBUK Database – Boiler Efficiency Database(www.ssedbuk.com)
The Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK (SEDBUK) was developed under the Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme with the co-operation of boiler manufacturers, and provides a basis for fair comparison of different models. SEDBUK is the average annual efficiency achieved in typical domestic conditions, making reasonable assumptions about pattern of usage, climate, control, and other influences. It is calculated from the results of standard laboratory tests together with other important factors such as boiler type, ignition arrangement, internal store size, fuel used, and knowledge of the UK climate and typical domestic usage patterns. For estimating annual fuel costs SEDBUK is a better guide than laboratory test results alone. It can be applied to most gas and oil domestic boilers for which data is available from tests conducted to the relevant European standards. The SEDBUK method is also used in SAP (1998). The main menu includes:
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View the Boiler Efficiency Database.
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Download the Boiler Efficiency Data File (SAP assessors only).
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News items.
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Explanations of the boiler data.
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SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure).
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SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK).
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Energy Efficiency Bands.
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Information for boiler manufacturers.
British Photovoltaic Association(www.pv-uk.org.uk)
This site is sponsored by the British Photovoltaic Association and includes:
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an introduction to PV technology and the components that make up a typical system;
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a fully searchable database of our members to help you locate reputable suppliers and installers of PV systems and components;
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details of PV systems that have been installed on buildings throughout the UK, as well as interesting case studies which give more detail on PV in use around the UK;
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a reference area which answers many of the common queries about buying, connecting and using PV in the UK environment.
Sustainable Sources Environmental(www.greenbuilder.com)
This American site's menu includes information on:
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sustainable building;
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green building professionals' directory;
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sustainable sources;
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related sites;
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articles;
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conferences.
International Institute for Sustainable Development(www.iisd.ca/climate/cop6)
This site gives a summary of the sixth conference of the parties to the framework convention on climate.
The Green Guide Online(www.greenguideonline.com)
This site includes a database of sustainable and green goods, services and organisations.
EnergySaver UK(www.energysaveruk.com)
This site provides a free and independent way to find the cheapest supplier for gas and electricity in your area. It is possible to sign up directly to change your supply arrangements.
Wood For good(www.woodforgood.com)
This Web site details the wood-for-good campaign which will run initially for three years and is funded by the Nordic Timber Council, the Forestry Commission, the Timber Trade Federation and the Northern Ireland Forest Service.
The Working Well Together Campaign(www.wwt.uk.com)
The site is described as the online centre of excellence for information, advice and guidance for everybody involved in the Construction Industry who wants to improve standards of Health and Safety.
Barbour Expert(www.barbourexpert.com)
Barbour Expert is a joint initiative from Barbour Index and The Builder Group to provide professionals with fast easy access to relevant built environment news, views and in depth information. It allows searches of data of 11,000 products and gives practical guidance on construction safety. It also delivers live news, recruitment opportunities and a research library. The current menu includes:
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Live New.
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Building product expert: a powerful search service with technical information, company profiles, case studies, illustrations and direct links to manufacturer's Web sites.
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Construction safety: news, views and expert guidance on health and safety issues for the construction industry.
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Job search.
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Magazine archive.
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Research: a range of research reports on the construction and facilities management markets.
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Magazine link.
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Barbour Index.
RIBA Information Services(www.productselector.co.uk)
RIBA Companies Ltd have launched the "product selector plus". This Web site provides details on 30,000 products from over 8,000 manufacturers with associated technical information and guidance. This is a subscription service, the first three months of which are free.
Association of Building Engineers(www.abe.org.uk)
This Web site has recently been revised and now includes details on:
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conferences and seminars;
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details of the association's monthly journal Building Engineer;
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press room;
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membership;
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branches;
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contact;
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links.
The Centre for Accessible Environments(www.cae.org.uk)
This Web site describes how the Centre for Accessible Environments is committed to the provision of buildings and places which are accessible to all users, including disabled and older people, and to enhance the quality in design. It describes itself as a technical information training and consultancy resource for the construction industry, provider of goods and services, the care professions and disabled people.
Town Planning(www.planning-applications.co.uk)
This site has been developed by Ian Butter to provide independent professional guidance and advice on town planning and related issues. The site is structured to include information on:
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Do you need planning permission?
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Permitted development.
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How to submit planning applications.
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Enforcement action.
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Tackling planning appeals.
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Challenging your local plan.
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Tree preservation orders.
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Rights of way.
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Advertisement control.
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Environmental statements.
Air Leakage(www.retrotec.com)
This US site gives details of the equipment available for the testing of air leakage in buildings. The products include door fans for measuring enclosure leakage, ultra low digital pressure gauges and software for air tightness standards.
CDM(www.cdmuk.com)
This site includes the "CDM UK knowledge centre" for everyone concerned with the CDM Regulations. There is also an online "CDM DocUstore", a "CDM Toolkit" and "CDM Services" which is an interface between customers and service providers for CDM services.