Citation
Todd, S. (2006), "Internet review", Structural Survey, Vol. 24 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2006.11024bag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Internet review
The web site information included below includes two key and other informative sites. If there are any other interesting sites or sources of information that you have found useful, please e-mail me at s.todd@salford.ac.uk
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) (www.bre.co.uk)
The BRE – provides an excellent source of technical information for property, construction and environment professionals. The main menu has not changed since the last review. The Latest News section includes information on:
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Renewable energy – The renewable energy industry has responded well to increased demands from a market that has been stimulated by DTI’s Clear Skies renewable energy grant scheme. The DTI funded and BRE managed Clear Skies initiative has helped householders and communities to install renewable energy technologies to their homes and community buildings, by providing grants and access to advice. BRE’s Project, Chris Roberts reports that “The several million pounds worth of grants awarded in recent years – and the associated information and publicity – have strengthened demand for renewables technology. This has helped to provide a stable market for the industry. In rising to the challenges of producing better, more efficient and more cost effective renewable energy sources the industry has developed new and innovative products such as roof-top wind turbines and solar thermal collectors”. In the recent final round of the community grants scheme, a further £690,000 were offered to 45 projects to install renewable energy technologies – wind, solar, ground source, biomass and hydro – in schools, housing, village halls, visitor centres religious buildings and many other community facilities. This brings the funding offered by the community scheme to more than £6.5 million for projects with a total value of nearly £14.5 million. An additional £5.2 million has been awarded through the scheme for householders.
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BRE Scotland – BRE Scotland has sponsored the “Best Environmental Initiative” award at this year’s prestigious Scottish Green Energy Awards. The award was won by the Forestry Commission for its use of carbon neutral fuels in vehicles. One of the first public agencies to use bio fuels, the Commission has also introduced its first pellet stove and plans to install a number of wood chip systems to heat its buildings. The award for Best Environmental Initiative recognises the ability of the renewables industry to assist in achieving wider environmental goals. The judges were particularly looking for a scheme or initiative that went beyond usual practice to deliver environmental benefits.
The Royal Institution of Chartered surveyors (www.rics.org.uk)
The structure of this site has not changed since that last review. The Latest News Section includes information on:
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The case of Holmwood Holdings Pty Ltd v. Halkat Electrical Contractors Pty Ltd and Anor heard by the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
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Tenancy deposit scheme bid TDS Ltd, which runs the joint industry tenancy deposit protection scheme for regulated agents, has put in a bid to ODPM to run the scheme on a statutory basis from 1 October when tenancy deposit protection provisions in the Housing Act 2004 come into force.
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West Midlands house prices slip back but market confidence remains high. House prices in the West Midlands fell back slightly during January as agreed sales suffered their largest fall in six months, according to the latest housing market survey.
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RICS Housing market survey – January 2006. House prices have risen for the third consecutive month, reports the latest housing market survey.
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Contracting out of the construction act. Jon Close looks at the Scottish case of Melville Dundas Limited (in receivership) v. George Wimpey UK Limited, which considered whether parties could contract out of the payment provisions of the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (“the Act”).
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Lord Foster to head St Petersburg rebuild. British architect Lord Foster has been chosen to head the £184m refurbishment of St Petersburg’s historic New Holland Island.
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EST offers support for British builders over Part L. Many UK builders do not know how to put the new energy efficiency legislation into practice, claims the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
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UK Coastal high risk areas. Transport secretary Alistair Darling has outlined 32 locations around the UK’s coastline which have been identified as at high risk of pollution from merchant shipping.
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UK construction orders rise in 2005. Orders in 2005 rose by 7 per cent compared with 2004, and orders in the fourth quarter of 2005 rose by 12 per cent compared to the same quarter a year earlier.
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) (www.mmcnw.org.uk)
The MMC NW launched their new website in the summer of 2005. For the past two years they have been working through research, meetings, visits, seminars and workshops and the results can all be viewed within this site.
The site is designed to form a knowledge base for all the work MMC NW and many of the documents generated via workshops, and seminars, are available for download through the reports centre, as well as promotional materials for MMC, and Developer guidelines. Modern Methods of Construction North West is a group of organisations in the North West coming together to seek a joint approach to overcoming the barriers to MMC in the North West.
MMC NW
This work was founded in the realisation that development issues facing funders and those who deliver projects could not be overcome unless both approached the work together. Initially, The Housing Corporation invited a number of Associations on Merseyside to discuss the lack of MMC take up in the region and seek a joint approach to identify the barriers. The project team was subsequently formed and the group enlarged to encompass the whole of the North West.
The main menu of the site is structured as:
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Home;
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The Project;
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Reports;
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Contacts; and
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Useful links.
ABE (www.abe.org.uk)
The Association of Building Engineers (ABE) is the professional body for those specialising in the technology of building. It was founded in 1925 under the name “The Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors”, the ABE provides the prime qualifications of Building Engineer, a title that exactly reflects the professional expertise of members and one that is readily understood in the European Union and beyond. It has a wide-ranging membership, drawn from both within the United Kingdom and overseas, and enjoys freedom from constitutional restraints. These advantages combine to give it a unique independence and breadth of influence, with consequent national and international recognition of its qualifications both in the public and private sectors and in the construction industry at large where it is represented on educational, codes and standards, legislative, technical and other advisory bodies.
The objectives of the ABE are:
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to promote and advance the knowledge, study and practice of each and all of the arts and sciences concerned with building technology, planning, design, construction, maintenance and repair of the built environment and the creation and maintenance of a high standard of professional qualification, conduct and practice; and
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to encourage and facilitate co-operation between the construction professions.
The main menu is currently structured as:
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Membership;
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Education;
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Conference seminars and workshops;
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Regions;
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“Building Engineer” and publications;
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Research and public consultations;
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Home; and
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Search.
National Energy Services (NES) (www.nesltd.co.uk)
NHER – provides information, software and training through a national network of trainers on the energy rating of buildings. The site menu is structured as:
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Home;
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About us;
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Our heritage;
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Services;
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Join us; and
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Contact us.
NHBC (www.nhbc.co.uk)
The NHBC sets the technical standards and provides insurance for new homes. The main menu structure includes:
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Home;
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About us;
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Premium rating scheme;
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Buildmark and Solo warranties;
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About home warranties;
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Buildmark;
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Solo for Self Build;
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Conveyancing and Buildmark warranty;
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Purchasers’ solicitor guidelines;
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Builders’ solicitor guidelines;
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Technical advice and support;
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Publications;
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Building Regulations;
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NHBC research;
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Useful information;
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Technical Standards;
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Building Control;
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Type approvals;
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Inspection;
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Road and sewer bonds;
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Claims Resolution;
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Consultancy services;
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Sustainability Services;
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Health and Safety;
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Accident and incident investigation service;
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Audit and Accreditation Scheme;
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Construction phase health and safety plan;
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Documentation;
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Planning supervision; and
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Technical Standards.
SAVA (www.sava.org.uk)
Since 2000, SAVA has accredited residential surveyors and valuers. They are currently heavily involved with Government initiatives to reform the home buying process in England and Wales, including:
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Training and assessment of Home Inspectors;
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Services for Home Inspectors;
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Software for Home Condition Reports;
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Home Information Pack services; and
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The SAVA Assessment Centre is one of the first independent assessment centres for Home Inspectors, authorised to assess candidates applying for the ABBE Diploma in Home Inspection.
In 2003, SAVA and National Energy Services joined forces to provide an integrated approach to building and supporting the market for quality residential property surveys, Home Inspectors and Home Information Packs. NES is a trading subsidiary of the National Energy Foundation, an independent charity set up in 1988 to promote energy conservation and provide help to improve energy efficiency in residential buildings. NES also administers the NHER (National Home Energy Rating Scheme), the UK’s largest home energy rating scheme.
The main menu is structured as:
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Home page;
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About us;
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SAVA Assessment Centre;
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SAVA Training Centre;
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SAVA Services;
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SAVA Accreditation;
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News Centre;
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Contact us; and
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Useful Links.
Nemex (www.nemex.co.uk)
This website gives details of the 2006 national energy management exhibition to be held in Birmingham.
Energy Institute (www.energyinst.org.uk)
According to this site the Energy Institute (EI) is the leading professional body for the energy industries, representing almost 12,000 professionals both nationally and internationally. A Royal Charter membership organisation, the Energy Institute serves society with independence, professionalism and a wealth of expertise in energy matters, creating a home for energy professionals and a scientific and technical reservoir for industry. It is licensed by the Engineering Council (UK) to offer Chartered, Incorporated and Engineering Technician status to engineers. The main menu is includes:
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About us;
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Membership;
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Technical;
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Branches;
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Events;
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Publications;
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Journals;
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Education and Training;
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Library and Information; and
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Consultants.
Stephen Todd