A new code of practice that details design standards, performance and installation of pitched roofs and vertical cladding using slates, tiles, shingles and shakes, as well as their associated components, has been published.
You have until February 2015 to start following the new standards outlined in the new BS5534 Code of Practice: Slating and tiling for pitched roofs and vertical cladding, which was published in August 2014 by the British Standards Institution.
LABC has produced guidance on basement design and construction in collaboration with LABC Warranty.
Nearly 200,000 people descended on Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, for one of the world's largest festivals. Throughout most of the year, the venue is a working farm, but during the Glastonbury Festival it transforms into a vast temporary international city.
A huge amount of work takes place every year to ensure the event continues to be regarded by many as the best music festival in the world and the Mendip District Council building control team plays a crucial part in this. The team boasts many years of Glastonbury Festival experience.
The Government announced on 4 July 2014 that in future local authority building control departments can apply to become approved inspectors and carry out building control functions, in particular site inspections, outside their own geographical boundaries. To do this local authorities will need to set up a trading company. The statutory building control functions of local authorities within their own areas remain unchanged.
LABC – the independent organisation representing more than 3000 building surveyors working for local councils – has welcomed changes which should lead to higher quality building work and clamp down on rogue builders.
Previous rules had meant that building sites could only be inspected at set stages of building projects. But, from 6 April 2013 changes mean local councils can inspect, with notice, building sites at any stage of the building process. This will help to make sure buildings are built to safe, sustainable, and fire-resistant standards.