Citation
Todd, S. (2003), "Structural Survey and the Internet", Structural Survey, Vol. 21 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2003.11021aag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, 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.
Key sites
The "latest news" section includes information on:
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Review. BRE review of the Government's recent Energy White paper.
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Better building handover. This gives information on the recently published BRE Digest for preparing and handing over a building and its documentation.
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Building maintenance painting. This provides information on a DTI and industry funded project which aims to get better value for money and improved customer satisfaction from coatings used for building refurbishment and up-grades.
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Multi-storey timber frame buildings. Provides the results and lessons learned from the TF2000 project.
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Better construction site communication. Construction quality can suffer from poor communication, such as the use of poorly detailed drawings, operatives being given incorrect instructions and technical advice not being available. Inefficient on-site communication contributes to the defects in UK construction that cost at least a billion pounds a year to repair or rebuild.
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EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and Implementation Advisory Group established. "The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPD)" was published in the European Journal on 4 January 2003. The Directive has far-reaching implications for the owners, operators and developers of buildings in the UK.
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Construction site security and safety. This gives information on how the construction industry suffers enormous losses as a result of the theft of plant and materials, and damage by fire, on construction sites.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyorswww.rics.org
This site includes details about a study "Making Transport Work." This shows how local authorities and businesses can work together more closely to make local transport plans more effective. There is some new information provided on "party walls" and reference is made to the new guidance note: Party Wall Legislation & Procedure.
This site also includes a new careers section devoted to women in the profession. The public affairs section includes a consumer guide to each type of residential property survey and the role of chartered surveyors.
RICS books has launched its Web site to include an online catalogue of more than 6,000 books, contracts and electronic media. The site also includes book reviews and the "top ten titles" for each specialised area.
The "Spotlight" section includes information on:
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New guidance on storing documents electronically. This fully updated RICS guidance note covers the legal admissibility of electronic document storage.
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Guidance Note on Fee Calculation Post Ryde's Scale. RICS has produced a Guidance Note on fee calculation in the post Ryde's Scale environment.
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CAP resource centre. To raise awareness of the possible implications which CAP reform may have for farming, rural business and land management RICS has created a CAP resource centre for members, students and those with an interest in rural affairs.
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New Research. Regional Development Agencies. The Future of Physical Regeneration in England – RICS and CABE have published independent new research – on the role of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in delivering urban renewal in England. The research recommends a number of changes in the focus of the RDAs to maximise the success of their regeneration initiatives. The report gives information on the following projects:
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Waste of space?
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New research proposes reform of business rates system.
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Building balanced communities: the USA and UK compared.
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Land value and public transport.
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The Leading Edge series.
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Faculty profile.
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The impact of modulation.
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Changing times: strategic consulting for professional effectiveness.
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Whose property is it anyway?
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Housing the nation: the RICS housing manifesto.
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Common auction conditions: for auctions of real estate in England and Wales.
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Rethinking control of buildings.
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2002 RICS & MacDonald and Company salary survey findings.
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Auction guidance notes.
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Property valuation – Carsberg report.
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The London plan: the big solution?
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RICS global manifesto – consultation draft.
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RICS manifesto.
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2000 RICS & MacDonald & Company salary survey findings.
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Powergenwww.powergen.co.uk
This site offers secure access to metered gas and electricity consumption data. It is possible to download the data or to view and analyse reports online.
Endatwww.endat.com
Endat publishes compendiums for construction and engineering professionals and gives access to:
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Building works. Building products and services
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External works. External works and landscaping
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Pentec. Process engineering
Department of Trade and Industrywww.dti.gov.uk
This Web site currently covers information about various schemes and initiatives including:
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Accelerating change and rethinking construction. Rethinking Construction is the name of a report and a major industry-led initiative to improve the performance of the UK construction industry. The Strategic Forum for Construction oversees the initiative and recently produced the report Accelerating Change. The report sets out how the industry can take the Rethinking Construction initiative forward for the benefit of both the industry and clients.
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Constructionline. Constructionline is the UKs largest register of pre-qualified construction contractors/consultants and is designed to make the procurement process more efficient for both clients and contractors/consultants. Constructionline's 1,400 plus clients have direct access to the database.
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Construction Best Practice programmes. This programme raises awareness of the benefits of best practice and provides guidance and advice to UK construction organisations so that they have the knowledge and skills required to implement change.
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IT Construction Best Practice programme. This seeks to address specific sectors of the construction industry in a three-year campaign. It has its own Web site which is being developed into the pre-eminent site for IT in UK construction.
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Partners in Innovation (PII) scheme. Partners in Innovation is a collaborative scheme that provides up to half the costs of research and innovation projects within the construction sector. It is open to all UK companies, industry bodies, institutions, research organisations and universities.
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Quality Mark. The scheme is aimed at raising the standard of workmanship in the domestic repair, maintenance and improvement sector. Under the scheme consumers can select reputable domestic contractors who have shown to independent assessors that they work to a high standard. As well as benefiting consumers, Quality Mark benefits the contractors registered with the scheme.
Landfill Taxwww.hm-treasury.gov.uk
The landfill tax credit scheme, which has already raised e300 million for approved projects, was extended in January 2000 to include "research and education on market development for recycled waste" and to make explicit that recycling related research and development was eligible for funding under the scheme. Waste Strategy 2000 set out the Government's strategy to use the scheme to deliver sustainable waste management. In line with the commitments made in the waste strategy, the Government intends to explore how resources going through the scheme could be better used to increase recycling rates, particularly of household waste.
Energy Saving Trustwww.est.org.uk
This Web site gives details of energy efficiency advice for domestic, business, local government and trade organisations. The site is currently structured to include:
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Energy efficiency.
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Transport energy.
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Solar grants.
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Community energy.
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Practical help for local authorities.
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Housing Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme.
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Renewable energy.
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Managed Housing programme.
Encams – Environmental Campaignswww.encams.org
Encams (Environmental Campaigns) is an environmental charity formed by a merger of Tidy Britain and Going Green. It aims to achieve litter free and sustainable environments by working with community groups, local authorities, businesses and other partners.
Beddington Zero Energy Developmentwww.bedzed.org.uk
BedZED, the Beddington Zero Energy Development, is an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient mix of housing and work space in Beddington, Sutton.
BedZED will only use energy from renewable sources generated on site. It is the first large-scale "carbon neutral" community, i.e. the first not to add to the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. BedZED shows how housing can be built without degrading the environment. BedZED aims to be a beacon, to show how we can meet the demand for housing without destroying the countryside. It shows that an eco-friendly lifestyle can be easy, affordable and attractive – something that people will want to do.
Key BedZED features include:
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Where possible, building materials selected from natural, renewable or recycled sources and, wherever possible, brought from within a 35-mile radius of the site.
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A combined heat and power unit able to produce all the Development's heat and electricity from tree waste (which would otherwise go to landfill).
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Energy-efficient design, with the houses facing south to make the most of the heat from the sun, with excellent insulation and triple-glazed windows.
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A water strategy able to cut mains consumption by a third, including installing water saving appliances and making the most of rain and recycled water.
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A green transport plan which aims to reduce reliance on the car by cutting the need for travel (e.g. through Internet shopping links and on-site facilities) and providing alternatives to driving such as a car pool.
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Recycling bins in every home.
Sustainable Homeswww.sustainablehomes.co.uk
Sustainable Homes promotes awareness of sustainable development issues for housing associations. It encourages the adoption of sustainable and environmental policies and practices. It is funded by an Innovation and Good Practice Grant from the Housing Corporation until 2005.
"The Clear Skies" Initiativewww.clear-skies.org
The £10 million "Clear Skies" initiative to promote energy efficiency is part of the Government's renewables strategy. The initiative will distribute grants to residents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Suggestions for local projects could include:
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A "solar street" where water heating panels are fitted to every house in a street.
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A small scale hydropower project in a school.
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Installing a wind turbine to provide electricity to a hospital.
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Using energy crops such as willow or poplar to provide heat to a community farm.
Homeowners can obtain grants between £500 to £5,000 whilst community organisations can receive up to £100,000 for grants and feasibility studies.
Envirowisewww.envirowise.gov.uk
This Web site gives information on the Government's programme offering free advice on minimising waste and setting up environmental management systems. The site includes details of:
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The Environment and Energy Helpline. One hour of free advice and on-site consultancy from Envirowise experts.
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Publications. Case studies, best practice guides and reference notes written by experts provide up-to-date information on waste minimisation issues, methods and successes.
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FastTrack visits. Free, on site waste reviews with Envirowise consultants to help you identify and realise savings quickly.
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Waste minimisation clubs. A chance for local or regional companies to meet regularly and share best practice in waste minimisation.
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Events. Best practice seminars and practical workshops offer an ideal way to find out about waste minimisation issues, and to discuss opportunities and methodologies.
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Tools. A range of presentations, spreadsheets and databases to help you implement waste minimisation successfully.
Climate Changewww.ukcip.org.uk
The UK Climate Impacts Programme monitors climate change and the measures taken to counteract its effects.
Green Constructionwww.greenconstruction.co.uk
Green Construction is a collection of abstracts of newspaper and periodical articles relevant to green building in the UK.