Recent publications

Citation

(2010), "Recent publications", Structural Survey, Vol. 28 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2010.11028eae.001

Recent publications

Article Type: Recent publications From: Structural Survey, Volume 28, Issue 5

Ensuring asbestos surveyors are qualified for the job

“Asbestos: The Survey Guide” (Ref: HSG264), published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is aimed at those who commission asbestos surveys, the surveyors who carry them out, and those who use them, such as architects and demolition or removal contractors. The guide stipulates that clients and duty holders only engage a surveying organisation that is competent. This can be demonstrated either through the organisation being accredited and/or individual surveyors having their own certification. The guide strongly recommends the use of UKAS accredited or ABICS certified surveyors for asbestos surveys. Said Dr Martin Gibson, author of the guide and a Principal Specialist Inspector for HSE: “Ensuring that contractors are competent to do asbestos surveys should be a top priority for those responsible for managing the risks from asbestos. Those organisations or individuals without accreditation and/or certification will find it more difficult to demonstrate that they are competent, so by employing a contractor with accreditation and/or certification, duty-holders can better meet their legal requirements.”

The guide can be purchased from HSE books (ISBN 9780717663859) for £10.95 or downloaded for free at http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/home.jsf

Managing risks from trees

The National Tree Safety Group (NTSG) is an inclusive organisation with representatives from governmental and non-governmental agencies, professional and corporate bodies involved in the management of trees. Its membership is open to all stakeholders with responsibility for trees. The NTSG’s aim is to develop a nationally recognised approach to tree safety management and to provide guidance that is proportionate to the actual risks posed by trees. A main outcome stipulated in its terms of reference is to produce a set of basic principles for considering and managing tree safety in the public interest. A statement, Managing Risk from Trees, sets out those principles. The overall approach is that a balance should be struck between risks and benefits. The statement aims to support the work of all those involved in tree management – whether connected with streets, parks, public open spaces, businesses such as hotels or farms, private estates, woodland, commercial forestry or private gardens. The statement is available at: www.rics.org/site/download_feed.aspx?fileID=6532&fileExtension=PDF

Protecting your home from subsidence damage

Meanwhile(!), a consumer guide from the Association of British Insurers for protecting the home from subsidence damage is available free of charge to download from www.abi.org.uk/Information/Consumers/General/Downloads_Home_Insurance__Claims.aspxis. This short publication contains a useful table of acceptable tree distances from buildings categorised by tree species.

Unauthorised building works

RICS has published guidance about the legislation relating to unauthorised building work. Many alterations or extensions are carried out without the relevant notification being given to a local authority or an approved inspector. Such contraventions often come to light when a property changes ownership and a diligent surveyor advises their client to check that alteration works have received consent. Available at: www.rics.org/site/download_feed.aspx?fileID=6563&fileExtension=PDF

Letting leasehold flats

The letting of leasehold flats is far more complex than letting a house as there are so many more stakeholders involved: the freeholder or resident management company, the managing agent of the block, the leaseholder, the leaseholder’s lettings agent, the mortgage provider and the tenant. As a result the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) has produced (in conjunction with seven of the leading professional advisory and trade bodies) a 16-page guide “The Letting of Leasehold Flats: A Guide to Good Practice and Related Issues”. To request a copy of the guide go to http://rapidrequest.emediaex.com/Go.aspx?0inEyEOohSNusxUaQfi7HUGqqEjIgicp7v8nBfdZLQc =

Flood recovery, innovation and response II

One-third of the annual natural disasters and economic losses, and more than half of the associated victims, are flood-related. A burgeoning global population and growing wealth, particularly in the last two or three decades, have increased the risk and the demand for flood protection. These features, together with climate change predictions and urban development, are affecting the way flood risk is managed. Knowledge and scientific tools play a role of paramount importance in the strain of coping with flooding problems, along with capacity building in the context of political and administrative frameworks. This book is edited by D. de Wrachien, D. Proverbs, C.A. Brebbia and S. Mambretti and contains papers presented at the second International Conference on Flood Recovery, Innovation and Response. It is part of the series WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, and is priced at £128.00 (ISBN: 978-1-84564-444-4) for 336 pages.

Scotland home report explained (video)

Surveyors based in Scotland may find this video about the Single Survey to be useful in advising clients about the compulsory survey required by anyone marketing a dwelling North of the border. To think we nearly had something similar in England and Wales! The video may be viewed at: www.rics.org/site/scripts/documents_info.aspx?documentID=906

Reduce packaging waste on your construction site – free guide

On average, around one third of waste from construction sites is packaging waste such as timber, cardboard and plastic. Much of this waste is unnecessary and significant amounts could be reused, recycled or completely avoided rather than sent to landfill. This guide describes how to minimise and manage packaging waste on construction sites. It considers how to overcome barriers and what the different options are for eliminating and dealing with packaging waste. The free guide is available at: www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1083183325

Prevent soil damage during construction projects – free guide

Soil is a fundamental and irreplaceable natural resource. Its key functions include providing food and raw materials, supporting wildlife and regulating the flow of water. This guide summarises the key pressures on soils in the built environment and the benefits of managing them sustainably. It includes good practice techniques for stripping, stockpiling and spreading soil. It also contains guidance on sourcing and manufacturing topsoil, soil aftercare and finding sustainable uses for surplus topsoil. It is available at: www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1084024492

RICS publishes affordable housing valuation guidance

RICS has published a guidance note to assist valuers in their approach to the valuation of affordable housing development land. It gives advice on the approach to the valuation of the land for the affordable housing element of a development scheme on a cleared, or greenfield site, or where the site is to be redeveloped by removing all, or substantially all, of the existing buildings and constructing new buildings. The guidance note is available to RICS members from their website.

BCIS Building Maintenance Price Book 2010

The Building Maintenance Price Book 2010 uses independent data provided by experienced estimators specialising in building maintenance work and repairs.

It is a useful resource to plan and budget for building maintenance and contains the latest labour, materials and plant hire costs for maintenance work, repairs and rehabilitation. The book is published by BCIS (ISBN 978 1 907196 04 1) and priced at £135.00.

An introduction to low carbon domestic refurbishment

This is useful advice from the Construction Products Association for householders as well as builders, regulators and politicians. The publication is available to download from www.constructionproducts.org.uk/publications/Page.aspx?Id=511