Welcome to the October edition of PBC Today. In this issue, we examine the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster for building control, the £2.3bn Housing Infrastructure Fund and the latest developments in Augmented Reality for construction. We also have articles on planning and development, sustainability, flood protection, asbestos control and BIM. A selection are detailed below:
Grenfell: What next for building control and fire safety?
The Grenfell Tower disaster was a human tragedy and a national scandal. PBC Today talks to Martin Conlon, chair of the Building Control Alliance, about the difficult questions raised and the industry’s response
Pioneering a revolutionary augmented reality system, built for the construction industry
Backed with £1m from Innovate UK, the Augmented Worker project looks set to be a major breakthrough in construction technology. Martin McDonnell, chairman of Soluis Group and CEO of Sublime, sets out the augmented reality revolution
Unlocking the full potential of offsite timber construction
Offsite timber construction could meet much of the government’s target for new housing, says Alex Goodfellow, Chairman of the Structural Timber Association. Here, he takes an in-depth look at the benefits of structural timber solutions
Cyber-attacks: Limiting the exposure of the UK construction industry
How switched on is the UK construction industry to its role in the fight against cyber-attacks? Emma Roe, Partner and Head of Commercial at law firm Shulmans, takes a look
Housing Infrastructure Fund: What is it and will it really make a difference?
Does the £2.3bn Housing Infrastructure Fund represent the next stage of a measured, strategic approach to tackling the housing crisis or is it another knee-jerk reaction? David Edwards of Place-Make assesses its likely impact
Understanding disability access in the built environment
Realising true disability access in the built environment is not just about minimum design standards or building regulations. But, with a common sense approach, it can be achieved in a cost-effective manner, says Turner & Townsend’s Richard Dryden
Building modelling literacy a factor in the energy performance gap
The energy performance gap has many causes, but a study led by Prof David Coley of the University of Bath’s Centre for Energy & the Design of Environments suggests the “literacy” of building modelling professionals should be addressed
Tackling the need for better flood resilience solutions for properties
Steve Hodgson, Chief Executive of the Property Care Association, talks to PBC Today about the PCA Flood Protection Group and the growing importance of improving flood resilience in properties
Green roofs and the future of urban green infrastructure
Research by Livingroofs.org has created the first national picture of the market for green roofs. Dusty Gedge, the report’s co-author, discusses its findings and what can be done to further encourage urban green infrastructure
The diesel debate: A challenge for the construction equipment industry
Faced with ever-more stringent environmental legislation, the construction equipment industry has retained its faith in the trusty diesel engine – and for good reason, according to CEA consultant Alex Woodrow
