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One of our building control surveyors recently encountered this attempt to comply with the Equality Act. The unit had been split into two and a new shop entrance was created.
Despite their best efforts the access ramp provided didn’t conform to the guidance offered in Approved Document M…
When anyone mentions stone cladding, a certain property on Coronation Street springs to mind (No. 9 - formerly Jack and Vera Duckworth's - see below). Their cladding was installed in 1989 and given the blue painted touches in 1994.
Aside from changing the external appearance so that the property…
The internet seems full of pictures of giant rats in London sewers and there is a saying that we are never more than 6ft away from one, but should we be doing more to limit or restrict their spread?
Pest entry into premises can range from acceptable seasonal issues such as insects in the summer…
Although most people park their cars and vans on the road, occasionally we have to deal with an unexpected guest who arrives in their vehicle through the wall.
When this happens it’s usually Building Control who’ll visit the site following a call from the emergency services to assess the…
Article updated on 31 January 2024One of our surveyors recently sent in this photo, taken in a brand new commercial building. It’s the ground floor of a protected staircase and shows the door swing directly over the bottom of the stair within the landing space. Clear space should be…
RICS have published a "clear, impartial" fire safety guide to highlight landlords' and tenants' responsibilities in keeping properties safe no matter what type of home they live in.
RICS believes a basic understanding of fire safety for all can reduce number of fire-related fatalities. This…
The Welsh Government has amended Approved Document B volumes 1 and 2, with new regulations and guidance to be implemented on 1st January 2016.
The amendments to the documents arise from the Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Regulations, resulting in a new Section 7A ‘Automatic Fire Suppression…
Fire investigators are warning DIYers about the potential risk of using expanding foam, if not used correctly.
So far this year, firefighters have been called to two incidents in which the gas emitted by the foam has built up and resulted in fire and, in one case, injury.
Expanding foam is…
Heat through the walls of fireplaces or masonry flues can be transferred to other materials. This can lead to the possibility of fire in combustible materials that are close to the fireplace or flue and measures need to be taken to reduce this risk.
Approved Document J gives guidance on the…
The first 200 LABC level six surveyors have passed their fire safety competency assessments. The test has been developed by LABC for its most experienced surveyors to demonstrate their competence in fire safety in higher risk and complex buildings. LABC anticipates more than 1…