PCA Weekly News - 14th August 2021
In your weekly PCA update this week:
- Flooding: Realistic Approaches to Basement Design
- Work Commences on Update of BS 85500
- Webinar: Improving Air Quality in Existing Dwellings
- Update on RICS Guidance Note on Japanese Knotweed
- BS 40102: A New British Standard
- Changes to Personal Protective Equipment Regulations
- Technician Training: Structural Waterproofing
Flooding: Realistic Approaches to Basement Design
With a month’s worth of rain falling in a matter of hours across London recently, flooding has hit the headlines once again. As a result of these flash floods, a number of PCA members were called out to rectify issues with flooded basements. It seems these events are becoming more commonplace, so what considerations should we be giving to basement designs in order to keep water out?
PCA’s Technical Manager James Berry discusses the issue in his latest blog, which you can access via the button below.
Click to Read More >>
Work Commences on Update of BS 85500
Work has now started on the update of ‘BS 85500: Flood Resistant and Resilient Construction – Guide to Improving the Flood Performance of Buildings’. The Property Care Association is part of the review committee who met to consider the sections within the document that should be the amended, reviewed and improved.
Important considerations are to ensure the document reflects current best practice and benefits from the technical advances that have been made since publication in 2015. Another consideration is the impact of the recently published Publicly Available Standard (PAS) which deals with the delivery of property flood resilience.
The PCA is pleased to be involved in the process of revision of this potentially influential British Standard and share the knowledge and experience of our PCA members.
Webinar: Improving Air Quality in Existing Dwellings
Just 2 WEEKS TO GO until our NEXT LIVE Webinar! Join us on Thursday 26th August 2021 as Kassie Williams from Nuaire raises awareness and shares her advice on how we can identify and ‘Improve the Air Quality in Existing Dwellings’.
With Covid-19 changing most peoples working habits and ongoing media attention towards excess moisture, mould & condensation and other air quality pollutants; can some of our buildings really be 50 times more polluted than outdoor air?!?
To register, simply click on the button below….
More about the Webinar>>
Update on RICS Guidance Note on Japanese Knotweed
We can share confirmation from RICS that their consultation document “Japanese knotweed and residential property” was a very popular download (599). 33 respondents logged over 238 comments online with a good spread of sector groups contributing – from lenders, to valuers, to PCA contractors.
The working group, including the PCA, will meet again in September to discuss/resolve any matters arising and the subsequent likely publication (and implementation) date will become clearer soon afterwards.
BS 40102: A New British Standard
A proposal for a new British Standard on health and wellbeing, thermal comfort, indoor air quality and overheating in buildings has been proposed by BSI. Designed to support PAS 2035 and PAS 2038, it will be applicable to all forms of non-domestic buildings, including existing building stock. The proposed document will be split into two parts:
- Health and Wellbeing in Buildings – required characteristics of internal environments in buildings subject to retrofit (heating, ventilation etc.,)
- Thermal Comfort, Indoor Air Quality and Overheating – developing a technical benchmark and best practice approach
We will keep you informed on the progress of this standard but in the meantime, to find out more and/or to comment, you can click on the button below.
Click here for More Info>>
Changes to Personal Protective Equipment Regulations
For PCA members & construction/property professionals who may not be aware, the HSE is currently carrying out a formal consultation exercise on amendments to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992 (PPER 1992). The consultation closes on Sunday 15th August 2021.
We understand that some may operate with a workforce of ‘limb (b) workers’ (dependent self-employed contractors) and you will need to ensure you are providing them with the appropriate PPE – as you currently do for employees.
This is something the PCA has actively encouraged for some time and will help protect the welfare of technicians in the industry. To find out more or to comment on the proposal, you can click on the button below.
Comment Here>>
Understanding Traditional Building Construction Principles
Technician Training: Structural Waterproofing
Date: 15th September 2021
Location: PCA Practical Training Centre, Huntingdon
Cost: Members £195 +VAT / Non-members £250 +VAT
>> Need more information on the course – click here
This course is a short but thorough exploration of all aspects of structural waterproofing which technicians are required to know. Candidates will be able to apply the knowledge and skills they have developed on the course to confidently and effectively protect below ground structures against water ingress.
Contact the training team today on 01480 400000, or email [email protected].
Click for More Info>>
Remember to keep in the loop…
Find out the latest news instantly by following the PCA via our social media channels:
Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on twitter