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Changes in 2015 to the Building Regulations Approved Document Part M, which contains guidance on access, introduced some new standards for new-build dwellings. The base standard is fairly similar to the old Part M; M4(2) is a higher standard that designs new dwellings so that they're more…
LABC has partnered with NFCC to give fire safety regulators and fire engineers access to dedicated training materials through a new learning portal.
LABC’s award winning Learning and Development team’s Virtual Learning Environment can now be securely accessed to upload training materials for…
High winds are an ever present risk, often leaving a trail of destruction on properties and construction sites. Average wind speeds are increasing and ‘storm force’ winds are more common.
Site hoarding, roofs, and unsecured or unbraced masonry walls in a temporary condition on construction sites…
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…
When replacing internal doors in a house, it is important to consider if they perform the function of a fire door, assist with good circulation of air around the house or provided thermal separation between an exempt conservatory or porch.
In most new 2-storey houses, doors between internal…
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…
On 27 April, building industry stakeholders gathered at the Energy Technology Centre of Nottingham University where the long-awaited new air tightness testing (also known as air pressure testing) technology, the PULSE unit, made its first appearance.
Build Test Solutions (BTS) is an exciting new…
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…
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…