Opex Consultancy Limited’s Post

FAQ - Building Safety Regulator as the Building Control Authority Q - What is the Building Safety Regulator’s new role for higher-risk buildings in England? A - The Building Safety Act 2022 established the new regulator BSR to oversee all aspects of building safety in England. From October 2023 BSR became the Building Control Authority for all higher-risk buildings (HRBs) in England. This means developers can no longer choose their building control body for HRBs. These are new residential buildings over 18 metres or 7 storeys, and hospitals and care homes meeting the same height threshold. Source: https://lnkd.in/etbHhN4b #BRS #BuildingControl #HighRiskBuildings #Architecture #Development

FAQ - Building Safety Regulator as the Building Control Authority Q - What is the Building Safety Regulator’s new role for higher-risk buildings in England? A - The Building Safety Act 2022 established the new regulator BSR to oversee all aspects of building safety in England. From October 2023 BSR became the Building Control Authority for all higher-risk buildings (HRBs) in England. This means developers can no longer choose their building control body for HRBs. These are new residential buildings over 18 metres or 7 storeys, and hospitals and care homes meeting the same height threshold. Source: https://lnkd.in/ebhGhdPy #BRS #BuildingControl #HighRiskBuildings #Architecture #Development

🚨 Building Regulations Part B: 2025 Updates for Residential Projects 🚨 The updated Building Regulations Part B document has arrived, bringing significant changes to fire safety standards for residential properties. These updates aim to enhance safety and align with modern practices, ensuring a safer built environment for all. This also features color coded amendments set to take effect in 2025, 2026, and 2029. Here are a few key changes to note: ✅ Mandatory evacuation alert systems in specific residential buildings. ✅ Stricter guidance on self-closing devices for fire doors in residential properties. ✅ Clearer specifications for fire-resistant materials in residential construction. These updates reflect the industry’s commitment to improving occupant safety and compliance. #BuildingRegulations #PartB #FireSafety #ResidentialDesign #Architecture #Construction

The publication of Grenfell Tower Enquiry Report: Phase 2 last week made very sobering reading and reminds us in the façade industry, if indeed we needed reminding, that the fire safety of individuals must come before anything else. We are all acutely aware of the issues that surround the remediation of unsafe buildings and the need to push forward with this work. At present, the Government reported number of buildings that require remediation is growing every month as further investigation is carried out. According to statistics released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, formerly the DLUHC, there were 4,630 residential buildings, 11 metres and over, identified as having unsafe cladding at the end of July 2024. Of these, only 1,350 have completed remediation works with 949 started. That leaves 2,331 buildings reported with no work yet begun. And these are just the buildings with known problems. The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have both recently stated that the work of refurbishing these buildings must speed up. We wait to see how they are going to achieve this acceleration, very welcome as it will be to the leaseholders and residents of these apartments. Publication of this report is an opportunity to improve fire safety, and we need to look to how we react to it. We in the façade industry can all contribute to fire safety in the future by taking on the challenges of the Building Safety Act, embracing the new regulation and designing, manufacturing and constructing to the required standards. We have great professionals in our industry, we are getting hold of this and it’s not that difficult. Indeed, at our next Façade Focus event on October 17th, we will be continuing the theme of fire safety and recladding, focussing more on what the industry now needs to do, working within the Building Safety Act, and the progress of fire remediation works. Last, but not least, we are thrilled to welcome John Neale of DMWR Architects Ltd to our team this month. #Facades #FacadeIndustry #FacadeFireSafety #BuildingSafetyAct #Recladding #FireRemediation #FacadeFocus

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published a further response to the findings of the Grenfell Inquiry Panel’s Phase 2 final report, duly highlighting what the Institute believes to be critical recommendations for improving building safety. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/eSgGTFp9

I would be interested in my networks view on this? Should roof top gardens be considered as a storey when considering the height and storey criteria under the Higher Risk Buildings Regulations? The Building Safety Regulator are currently considering this. Whatever the outcome, designers should consider construction materials and features to ensure safety for residents isn't compromised. #socialhousing #buildingsafety #riskmanagement

#News | The HSVP has initiated action against 18 architects blacklisted by the  Department of Town and Country Planning for issuing occupancy certificates in violation of building norms. The investigation continues, with further steps expected soon. #RealtyNXT #HSVPAction #ArchitectAccountability #BuildingStandards #UrbanRegulation #ConstructionCompliance #RealEstateReforms #TownPlanning

🗞️ News: St William gets go-ahead for 245-home Stratford scheme A section 106 legal agreement has been finalised for the 2.2-acre brownfield site, which will be transformed into a 245 home mixed-tenure neighbourhood close to West Ham and Stratford Stations. The development will now need Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator before St William can start on site. Source: London Build Expo #BuildingServices #BuildingDesign #BuildingEngineering #CIBSE #BuildingServicesRecruitment #MEP #MEPEngineering #MEPEngineer #Rics #PropertyDesign #architecture #Construction #Urban #Design #Engineering #BuildingPerformance #fire #Sustainability #VT #VerticalTransportation #Fire #FireEngineering #RealEstate #HouseBuilding #London #MEPDesign #CIOB #Property #TheBuildingServicesPodcast #BuildingPodcast #BuildingServicesBlog

Following our second Façade Focus session on the Future of Façade Remediation in October, this new article focusses more closely on the impact the Building Safety Act 2022 is having on the recladding of apartment buildings. We tackle the issues surrounding the number of buildings that require remediation, how these projects pose unique challenges and factors to consider such as cost, compliance and competency. The full article is available to download here: https://lnkd.in/gPkxpFf4 #Facades #FacadeIndustry #FacadeRemediation #TheBuildingSafetyAct #Recladding #ConstructionUK

A case study from our Air Quality and Construction sector lead Adam Glass. We work with developers, house builders, contractors, planning consultancies and architects helping to navigate through the planning, design and construction stages for projects of all sizes and in all sectors. GREEN BANK COTTAGE, TAYMOUNT RISE HAMBRIDGE HOMES commissioned us to conduct a planning stage air quality and dust risk assessment and develop a Dust Management Plan for this project which involves the demolition of two existing dwellings and the construction of a four-storey building with a roof terrace, providing 16 self-contained flats at Taymount Rise, Lewisham. Our assessment aimed to identify the risk category for dust emissions during the demolition, earthworks, construction, and track-out phases. We developed a management and mitigation strategy to control and reduce negative impacts and adverse effects. Read the full case study here:-https://lnkd.in/diA-ukr9 #CaseStudy #HouseBuilder #Developer #Architect #PlanningConsultancy #ResidentialDevelopment #AirQuality #DustRiskAssessment #DustManagementPlan #PlanningApplication #PlanningCondition