1. Council finds fire-proofing failings at eight BSF schools built by Balfour Beatty
Knowsley Council is investigating alleged problems with fire protection at eight PFI schools built by Balfour Beatty under the Building Schools for the Future programme. Read more…
2. London Underground to demand level 2 BIM from April deadline
London Underground is gearing up to requiring Level 2 BIM for all projects starting after April 2016, John Downes, head of engineering governance and services told BIM+. Read more…
3. Site worker using fake CSCS card gets prison sentence
The issue of fake certification cards in the construction sector – highlighted in an industry wide survey from CITB and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme – has also been underlined in a case at Isleworth Crown Court, west London. Read more…
4. EC Harris: we need 1.5 people for a year to build a house, but where are they?
EC Harris argues that labour supply is the key factor holding down output to critically low levels. In a report, it looks back at the past 15 years to conclude there is a relatively simple equation governing housing output in the UK. Read more…
5. Parliament to investigate PV panels and sewer heat recovery
The Independent Options Appraisal report, which detailed the possible scenarios for carrying out a major restoration and renewal programme for the Palace of Westminster, includes a recommendation to investigate the use of “novel technologies” to reduce energy use and CO2 emissions at the building. Read more…
6. BRE-led team to launch BIM file ‘synching’ system
BRE, IBM, Costain and other project partners are six months away from concluding an innovative project that aims to take the “model” out of BIM, creating instead a file-sharing system that’s more closely related to Dropbox or Google Docs. Read more…
7. River Wyre barrage plan put forward as push for tidal energy continues
Natural Energy Wyre reveals plans to build a 600-metre barrage across the river Wyre near Fleetwood in Lancashire that could generate power for 50,000 homes. Read more…
8. Rise to build mass housing for Sri Lanka shanty dwellers
Rise Management Consulting and its partners are negotiating to build low-cost housing on a vast scale to rehome shanty dwellers in Sri Lanka, in an innovative project that harnesses a global supply chain. Read more…
9. First firms win BIM certification from Ocean
Two north east-based companies – contractor Howard Russell Construction and architecture practice Edwards Architecture – have become the first companies to gain BIM certification as PAS1192-2 compliant through a new service offered by Ocean Certification. Read more…
10. EU court rules 5% VAT on energy efficiency products illegal
The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled the UK will no longer be able to offer a reduced 5% rate of VAT on energy-saving products for homes – a decision that angered the Energy Saving Trust and insulation products manufacturer Knauf. Read more…
Top in Management
Faulty fire doors in every building type and every sector
Neil Ashdown, general manager of the Fire Door Inspection Scheme, on the worrying prevalance of incorrect fire door installations. Read more…
Top in Agenda
Innovators v Dragons
The CIOB and BRE recently brought together four innovators to pitch their ideas to a panel of industry experts and advisers. But which idea gained their support? Read more…
Top in BIM case studies
Grasshopper springs into action
New BIM-enabled parametric capabilities and tools not normally associated with BIM were required to design the sleek form of the One Blackfriars 50-storey tower on London’s South Bank. Read more…
Top in Comment
The Chinese are coming and they’re here to stay
With the China Harbour Engineering Company announced as preferred bidder for marine work at the Swansea Lagoon project, Staffan Engstrom suggests it signals that the Chinese are international construction players who are here to stay. Read more…
