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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…
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…
If you’ve ever found a storm tank on site you will know how they can impact on building work.They’re commonly found at the back of terraced properties and originally acted as a soakaway for rainwater drainage.Built in brickwork they can range in size from 900mm diameter and 900mm deep to 3m…
At a Construction Industry Council (CIC) Reception last night, Tony Burton, Senior Partner at Gardiner & Theobald and CIC Inclusive Environment Champion presented the second Construction Industry Council Inclusive Environment (CIC-IE) Award to the winner, Wycombe Leisure Centre. The centre had…