Construction National

Michelmersh sponsors RIBA’s Sustainability Award 2021

Michelmersh is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Sustainability Award at the RIBA Regional Awards 2021. RIBA’s Regional Awards are comprised of various awards, including Project Architect of the Year, Sustainability Award, Conservation Award, Building of the Year, Client of the Year Award, and region-specific awards. Over recent weeks, winner announcements have been filling social media feeds, congratulating and commemorating worthy winners.

Read more: Michelmersh sponsors RIBA’s Sustainability Award 2021

Elecosoft launches Powerproject Collaboration Cloud

Great construction work should never be held up by poor project management. To help companies deliver more projects on schedule, within budget, stress-free, Elecosoft has launched Powerproject Collaboration Cloud – a collection of market-leading software in one monthly subscription.

Powerproject Collaboration Cloud empowers construction companies to plan, track and manage projects in one place, collaborating closely with team members to deliver strong results.

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(De)sign of the times: blurred lines on build performance liabilities

Design requirements are at the heart of any construction contract, and the precise formulation of applicable standards is crucial to evaluation of risk. Recent trends indicate that designers in the UK construction industry are assuming increasing levels of liability on build performance, with significant implications for coverage under professional indemnity insurance.

In Arbitration Appeal No 1 of 2021 [2021] CSOH 41, the Scottish Court of Session recently considered the interpretation of deemed design liability clauses, and upheld a provision imposing responsibility on a consultant for designs pre-dating its appointment and which had been proposed without its involvement. Whilst similar clauses may be given a narrower interpretation in a multi-disciplinary design context involving several third party consultants, the scope of such provisions should be carefully considered at the outset, to limit exposure and potential uninsured loss.

Read more: (De)sign of the times: blurred lines on build performance liabilities

ASFP to launch new industry magazine

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is launching a new magazine to update its members and the wider fire, design and construction sectors with news of ASFP activities, and to report and comment on issues affecting the passive fire protection industry.

The new magazine, Ignite, will be produced three times each year. With the first edition scheduled for publication in November/December, it will also be distributed at the Association’s Awards Lunch on 26th November. The edition will include full details of the shortlisted Awards nominees, as well as a round-up of industry news, training and technical updates, and event reviews. Each issue will also feature member spotlights, which highlight key products and/or services supplied by ASFP members.  

Read more: ASFP to launch new industry magazine

New tech to get construction businesses paid faster

A new start-up fintech is set to solve the growing issue of late payments in the construction industry as it aims to get businesses paid within seven days potentially helping 75% of business.

Debt Register has developed a purpose-built digital platform to resolve debts anything up to 10 times faster than traditional legal action, and for a fraction of the cost, a welcome change for the industry as 3 out of 4 firms being forced to wait on average a month past agreed upon terms for payment. 

Read more: New tech to get construction businesses paid faster

Supporting affordable housing in Clevedon

The redevelopment of vacant land in Clevedon, North Somerset is set to increase the supply of social housing in the town, as well as creating a desirable place where people want to live.

The Millcross site, which was formerly home to a Kwik Save convenience store, was purchased by Alliance Homes in 2020 through a partnering agreement with North Somerset Council. Plans have plans have since been announced for around 60 affordable homes to be built there, led by Alliance Homes.

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ASFP comments on the Building Safety Bill

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) welcomes the publication of the new Building Safety Bill but remains concerned about the length of time it may take to pass through Parliament, the continued lack of funding and support for leaseholders and the delay to defining product safety criteria, with much of the detailed regulation expected to be contained within secondary legislation.

Read more: ASFP comments on the Building Safety Bill

ASFP releases new advisory notes on the fire protection of structural steel

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has released three new Advisory Notes which offer guidance on the fire protection of structural steel, addressing specific concerns identified by industry.

Advisory Note 19: ASFP Position on the Use of Critical Steel Temperatures above 650°C updates a previous edition released in July 2020. It highlights that it is vital to ensure that the appropriate limiting temperature is used in the specification of a reactive coating. Use of an elevated temperature (above 650°C) without the appropriate engineering checks could potentially leave a structure under-protected in a fire situation.

Read more: ASFP releases new advisory notes on the fire protection of structural steel

Sika’s new MonoTop® concrete repair system raises the standards

Global building products manufacturer, Sika, has launched a new concrete repair solution that provides greater long-term protection for buildings and sets a new standard for low environmental impact concrete by significantly reducing CO² emissions. 

Sika has invested in the trusted Sika MonoTop^® brand which rewrites the rule book in terms of low-carbon concrete repair. With 45 million buildings in the UK alone thought to be in need of refurbishment in order to comply with regulation energy performance, Sika’s sustainable MonoTop^® range is the ideal repair solution for addressing such an issue. Its sustainable, reliable performance follows years of research by Sika’s technical teams, resulting in a proven, premier solution that compared to other concrete repair solutions, uses less carbon emissions – up to 1 tonne of CO₂ per 100m².

Read more: Sika’s new MonoTop® concrete repair system raises the standards

More action needed by SMEs to tackle modern slavery

Awareness of the importance of addressing modern slavery is high among construction SMEs, but there is a need to move beyond policy to action according to research carried out by CHAS, in conjunction with the University of Nottingham Rights Lab.

CHAS and the Rights Lab surveyed a sample of 229 CHAS member companies, the majority of whom are SMEs within the construction sector. The survey sought to assess current knowledge and awareness of modern slavery along with actions taken to address this problem and identify opportunities for improving engagement.

Read more: More action needed by SMEs to tackle modern slavery