Recent publications
Recent publications
Article Type: Recent publications From: Structural Survey, Volume 30, Issue 2.
Recent RICS Practice Guidance
Recent publications available to members from the RICS web site include:
Subsidence in relation to insurance claims: this new guidance note examines the causes of subsidence, heave and landslip, as well as some of the other causes of building fractures in relation to policy cover and handling subsidence claims.
New party walls guidance: the sixth edition of the industry standard Party Walls Legislation and Procedure Guidance Note which sets out standards for dealing with party walls disputes. The new edition is fully updated to take into account legislation, case law, current HM Government guides and contains numerous examples of typical party wall correspondence.
Asbestos and its implications for surveyors and their clients: the third edition of this guide explains how to understand the dangers to health and business, protect PI insurance, comply with legislation and implement an effective management plan.
Flat roof coverings: this new information paper provides recommendations for the diagnosis, remedy and prevention of failures in a variety of existing flat roof weathering materials.
BCIS Comprehensive Major and Minor Works Dataset 2012
The major works dataset focuses on large new build projects reflecting the economies of scale found in these forms of construction. The minor works estimating dataset focuses on small- to medium-sized new build projects. The dataset is presented in trade order with new glazing section and manhole build-ups. The dataset is available from the BCIS web site, cost £165.99. An Alterations and Refurbishment Dataset is also available at £109.99.
Building Services Handbook
This new sixth edition contains extended information on water system components, control systems for hot water and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, drainage, gas appliance flues and further examples of design calculations. It has been revised and expanded to take into account recent amendments to the Building Regulations Approved Documents and guidance from British and European Standards. The handbook summarises the application of all common elements of building services practice, technique and procedure, to provide an essential information resource for students as well as practitioners working in building services, building management and the facilities administration and maintenance sectors of the construction industry. Information is presented in the highly illustrated and accessible style of the best-selling companion title Building Construction Handbook. Written by Roger Greeno and Fred Hall the book is published by Routledge (pp. 700, paperback, ISBN 978-0-08-096982-4).
Life Cycle Assessment in the Built Environment
Life cycle assessment enables the identification of a broad range of potential environmental impacts occurring across the entire life of a product,from its design through to its eventual disposal or reuse. The need for life cycle assessment to inform environmental design within the built environment is critical, due to the complex range of materials and processes required to construct and manage our buildings and infrastructure systems. After outlining the framework for life cycle assessment, this book uses a range of case studies to demonstrate the innovative input-output-based hybrid approach for compiling a life cycle inventory. This approach enables a comprehensive analysis of a broad range of resource requirements and environmental outputs so that the potential environmental impacts of a building or infrastructure system can be ascertained. These case studies cover a range of elements that are part of the built environment, including a residential building, a commercial office building and a wind turbine, as well as individual building components such as a residential-scale photovoltaic system. The book is written by Robert Crawford and published by Spon Press in hardback at £80.00 (ISBN 978-0-415-55795-5).
Green Buildings and the Law
Edited by Julie Adshead and published by Routledge this book is written by members of the CIB TG69 research group on Green Buildings and the Lawwho review aspects of the law relating to green development in a range of jurisdictions. It is available in hardback at £70.00 (ISBN 978-0-415-55926-3).
Guide to the JCT Minor Building Works Contract 2011
Sarah Lupton's Guide to the JCT Minor Building Works 2011 is fully revised for JCT 2011, to provide up-to-date working aids for the operation and administration of this contract. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the MW form in light of today's legal and practice landscape, pointing out all the recent developments and changes to the contract, and providing illuminating and up-to-date cases as valuable lessons to the unwary. Available from www.ricsbooks.comat £35.00.
Theft of Metal from Church Buildings
Available from English Heritage (EH) as a free download this guidance note sets out their response to the epidemic of lead theft which is affecting historic buildings and, in particular, parish churches. EH recognise that any theft brings frustration, expense and inconvenience to congregations. Preventing future thefts is paramount, but dealing with the unfortunate aftermath in an appropriate way is also very important. This guidance is in two parts: the first outlines EH's approach and advice for congregations on the significance of lead,how to protect it, and how to respond to thefts; the second offers detailed practical information about selecting the material to be used for historic church roofs and making it secure. See the EH web site or e-mail: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Tracing the History of Houses
In his new book, author Trevor Yorke uses his own drawings and photographs to explain how houses have developed and the methods by which the reader can find out more about their history. He describes in detail how to discover the approximate date of a house by looking at the physical evidence, not just of the house itself – its style and shape, the material used to build it and the quality of the interior fixtures and fittings – but also its location within the neighbourhood. He explains the various sources of information available which can help date the building, such as maps and estate surveys, histories of the locality; and also those documents available which can name those who may have lived in it previously, for instance, census returns and trade directories. Together with a time chart illustrating the key changes to house styles, a detailed glossary and a list of web sites and record offices, this book will prove invaluable to those who are curious to know when and how their house was built. Presented in an easy-to-understand format, this book will enlighten the reader in the important aspects which help date most houses which can be seen today. Published by Countryside Books (www.countrysidebooks.co.uk)at £9.95 (ISBN 978 1 84674 265 1).
