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For the past two years LABC members have been developing a new approach to consistency and performance in local authority building control.
Following nationwide consultation, changes to LABC’s Constitution and the establishment of a new Standards Committee LABC is now implementing quality…
In August 2016, a six-year old girl was severely injured when a boundary wall collapsed onto a public pathway.
The wall was 50 years old, single skin construction and about 1.8 metres (6 feet) high.
Immediate action was taken by building control for a number of other dangerous sections that…
This is what happens where there isn’t enough ventilation - the roof covering offers very good waterproofing, preventing rainwater from getting into the building. But it also prevents water vapour inside the building from escaping.
Timbers which have rotted through due to lack of ventilation…
Clay bricks have been in use for many years. In Britain, bricks were first used by the Roman Empire in the 1st century. Nowadays, bricks are prevalent across the built environment and continue to be a fundamental ingredient in modern architecture. So, why after 2000 years are we still debating how…
For new dwellings and extensions, a popular method of providing ventilation has been to follow the principles of intermittent extract and background ventilation, known as ‘system 1’ in Approved Document F England or Wales. Although installation should be undertaken in accordance with the approved…
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…
Making your home more energy efficient will cut costs in the long run and make it a warmer, more comfortable place to live in the cold winter months and cooler on hot summer days. By reducing your energy usage, you'll cut your carbon emissions and do your bit for the environment too.…
Understanding lead code requirements for particular work, installation detailing and length of laps are common issues that our building control teams get involved with.
Now there’s a quick and easy way to get the answers to all of your questions with a really clever mobile phone app from the…
Article updated on 31 January 2024When there are significant changes in level on a building plot or, if the profile of a decent load-bearing strata slopes, it can be difficult to work out how to keep costs down when digging out foundations.If you're cutting into the slope then it can result in very…
Getting the design of a level threshold right can be tricky. Convenience and accessibility are the main focus, but this can cause water penetration or damp.
The external landing should be large and level enough for easy wheelchair access, but there’s a risk of standing water or surface water…