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Approved Document J outlines the precautions needed to ensure that smoke and gases from appliances can be safely discharged. Diagrams 17 and 18 highlight the outlet heights needed in relation to traditional roofs and easily ignited coverings such as thatch and shingles.In general, outlets need to…
The traditional approach used when two steel beams are provided to support a cavity wall has been to design the beams to each carry half the total load and then connect them with pipe spacers and bolts, even when the loading to each beam was not equal.
This view has been challenged by many…
It’s that time of year again when it’s no fun to be on a building site when temperatures have dropped significantly or the rain is driving horizontally. It’s not just you and the packed lunch that need to be protected.
The Brick Development Association makes a number of recommendations for…
Walls usually crack because of movement in buildings. Allowing for these subtle movements during construction can prevent problems later. If you don’t, you risk bowing or cracking because the walls aren’t free to expand or contract.
Ensure movement joints or expansion joints are built in. The…
1944-2022
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of David Smith MBE on 6th June 2022.
David began his career in building control as a trainee building inspector at Ipswich Borough Council in 1962, progressing through the ranks with a spell at Deben Rural…
Congratulations to our regional winner and highly commended in the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2025.View our regional pages here... Central Winners & Highly Commended 2025 East Anglia Winners & Highly Commended 2025 East Midlands Winners & Highly Commended 2025…
The ‘point loading’ shown in the picture can cause the beam or lintel to fail if it wasn’t designed to take a single large load.
Where a lintel supports rafters, floor or ceiling joists, it’s known as a ‘uniformly distributed load’ or ‘UDL’, and these can be safely supported by a concrete or…
In 2014 Shane Wilkinson was killed on site when an unsecured trench wall collapsed on top of him at a building site in Collyweston. The father of five was completely buried in the rubble, and despite the best efforts of fellow workers, he died at the scene.
The court heard that basic safety…
We offer a wide range of courses for members and non-members alike, so whether you're a building control professional, architect, specialist tradesman, site manager or self employed builder book onto one of our training courses to make sure your knowledge is up to date.
LABC's …
A significant amount of heat is lost through uninsulated cavity party walls. In fact, recent research suggests the heat loss through party cavity walls in modern houses could be as much as that from all other elements combined.
Party wall thermal bypass occurs where cold air enters the…