Category: Technical
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Managing safety risks during excavation work
Most excavation work requires some form of work at height and it is now commonplace for companies to hire rescue equipment such as davit arm systems. However, it is extremely rare for individuals to hold a recognised qualification for excavation rescue. Rescue plans often sit within the site office, are not shared with the workforce,…
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What makes building facades whistle and hum?
Building facades are not supposed to be noisy. Matthew Harrison explains why they sometimes whistle and hum – and how this can be mitigated through careful facade design. Beetham Tower in Manchester has been known to whistle and hum (Image: Dreamstime) Building facades do more to articulate an architectural expression than any other building characteristic…
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How to embed a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety
In the second article in his series, the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s Alex Minett looks at how construction project managers can implement continuous improvement in health and safety on site. Image: Dreamstime Health and safety in construction is grounded in key UK laws such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) and the…
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Chartered company helps Cambridgeshire fire station to become carbon neutral
CIOB chartered company Neville Special Projects has started work to upgrade St Neots Fire Station, Cambridgeshire, to provide a modern and sustainable facility for crews and the community. The firm is part of Neville Trust, a group of companies which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary. Making use of technology including heat pumps and solar…
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Research reveals stark risks of flooding in subterranean spaces
I wanted to find out about UK policy, British Standards and codes of practice relating to the conversion of basements into habitable flats. I interviewed key people from the Environment Agency, Property Care Association (PCA), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Construction Industry Research and Information Association (Ciria), fellows of the Chartered Institution…
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Farrans flies high with airport expansion
Main contractor: FarransClient: Leeds Bradford AirportArchitect: Millar Design + ManagementStructural engineer: Dudleys Consulting EngineersSteelwork contractor: Elland Steel StructuresValue: £100m (two phases)Start date: April 2024Completion (phase one): summer 2025Completion (phase two): winter 20 View the original article and our Inspiration here
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Construction’s role in tackling water scarcity
CIOB will be hosting a webinar, titled Built Environment Strategies for a Water-Scarce World, from 12-1pm GMT (1-2pm BST) on 8 April. The discussion will explore the industry’s route towards a water-efficient future and how to optimise water management and efficiency on construction sites. The CPD session will feature insights from CIOB’s Amanda Williams; Waterwise’s Jo…
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From Taylor Swift to Manchester United: how stadium design is changing
Football grounds increasingly host non-sporting events such as concerts, and Manchester United’s planned new stadium will be no different. This means different challenges for designers and constructors, explains Wojciech Markowski. Nonetheless, it may be difficult to achieve a satisfactory level of structural response for the entire grandstand without significant structural modifications, which may lead to…
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How to step up construction welfare standards
This month, Alex Minett from the Considerate Constructors Scheme starts a new column in CM, sharing best-practice ideas and case studies for managing construction sites, based on the CCS assessment. In his first article, he explains how to ensure welfare facilities are suitable, hygienic, and well-maintained. UK law mandates adequate welfare facilities under the Construction…
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Conservation specialist’s stone cold success
From graves and medieval drawings to climate-controlled exhibition space and strict deadlines, Exeter Cathedral presented SSH Conservation site manager John Mullins MCIOB with plenty of challenges. The design of the wall meant the stonework progressed quickly. Five new buttresses were formed in stonework around new reinforced concrete columns. The new cloister wall consists of 70…