Technical
News
Timber frame industry tackles fire safety
UK Timber Frame Association and HSE have joined forces to promote more fire resistant time frame systems
Arup to open BIM consultancy in UK
Engineering giant has been offering BIM services in Australia for 12 months
Crossrail contractors to use new Lafarge rail link
The cement company says the freight connection will open in February 2012
Construction industry PMI falls to eight-month low
Improved commercial performance outweighed by weaker civil engineering work
Building launches BIM conference in London
The BIM Show Live will feature key technology speakers and real-life examples of Building Information Modelling
Green Building Council launches training Task Group
The UK-GBC says it will provide leadership and co-ordination in sustainability training and education
Under construction
The ArcelorMittal Orbit: Twist and shout
The ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Olympic park is being built to ‘arouse the curiosity and wonder of Londoners’. And the most curious thing of all is how this spiralling confusion of red steel actually stands up
Top of the class: Passivhaus school design
A primary school in Exeter won’t win any architectural awards, but is earning gold stars in zero-carbon and Passivhaus design. Thomas Lane swots up on how to deliver a low-energy building on a budget
Sustainability news
Work to secure Olympic park green legacy complete
Environment Agency hails completion of its work with the Olympic Delivery Authority to create new urban park
Part L changes will fail to boost Green Deal
Industry says loopholes in regulations will enable homeowners to avoid energy improvements
UK’s first light-weight solar panels open up markets
Carillion becomes first in UK to install lighter form of solar panels that could be used for a wide range of roofs
Gove has 'ulterior motive' for scrapping BREEAM
Move to scrap green standards for schools driven by the free schools agenda, public procurement chief says
Health & Safety
Three Scottish companies fined after fall from height
Electrician’s labourer and athlete left with serious injuries after Dundee fall, court hears
Essential guides
Essential guides: Building Regulations
Essential need-know facts about Parts A to P of the Building Regs
Essential guides: British Standards
A round-up of all the British Standards that are relevant to the construction industry
Essential guides: BREEAM, LEED, Green Star & Estidama
Key information about the four main environmental assessment methods for buildings
Products
Movers and makers 27 January 2012: Cladding
A round-up of news from cladding manufacturers
Thin-joint mortar
Wienerberger has launched ZeroPlus, a thin-joint mortar that can be laid at 0°C
Thermal break modules
Schöck says its thermal break modules have outstanding thermal efficiency
External wall insulation
Alumasc’s wall insulation was used for the Moss Bank social housing project in Merseyside
Bespoke double-skin facade
Wicona’s aluminium curtain walling was used for the headquarters building for KfW Bank in Frankfurt
Cavity wall insulation
Knauf Insulation has launched Supafil 34, a glass mineral wool insulation designed to be blown into existing cavity walls
Rapid rail support system
Metsec has launched a new side rail support system that uses a “click and fix” mechanism to secure C-section side rails in place
