The Pioneers statue celebrates the canal builders who founded Ellesmere Port and was cast in bronze by Liverpool artist Stephen Broadbent.
The Future of Building Control
The Department for Communities and Local Government has published a consultation paper setting out a package of options which the Government is keen to take forward to assist building control bodies deliver a service for the 21st century.
Although the document is not a full consultation paper at this stage, it emphasises the extra demands being placed on building control. These include the development of sustainable buildings, measures to tackle climate change and dealing with ever more complex technologies. Stakeholders suggest a number of options for reform, which the government believe have the greatest potential for achieving the change needed.
Ministers have signalled major changes for the building control regime after acknowledging that the present arrangements are complex, lack clarity, are confusing and often poorly enforced. The department has recognised that the current system lacks a clear vision and is hampered by a piecemeal appproach to regulatory change.
Among the measures now under scrutiny are greater enforcement powers for local authorities, better and more customer-focused guidance, a move towards a longer fixed term cycle of changes to the regulations and increased resources for the service.
Angela Smith MP, the minister responsible for building regulations, said "We are determined to ensure that we have a Building Control system that is efficient in its purpose to deliver buildings which are not only safe, healthy and accessible but also sustainable and make a direct contribution to tackling climate change".
Consultation on proposals for amending Part G (Hygiene)
The CLG's consultation considers the following inclusions/amendments to Part G:
Enforcement Powers
Recent legislation passed under the Housing and Regeneration Bill has introduced an extension of time limits from six months to two years for prosecution for breaches of the Building Regulations relating to the conservation of fuel and power (Part L).
Energy Performance Certificates - New Dwellings
The implementation of Energy Performance Certificates for new build dwellings commenced on 6 April 2008. The necessary statutory instrument (SI 2007/3302) is in place to amend E.P.C. regulations and consequently the Building Regulations to this effect.
The statutory Instrument can be viewed at the link below
The effect of the amendment is that Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) will be required as part of the completion under Building Regulations for New Build dwellings from 6 April 2008.
Amendments to the Building Regulations introduced by the E.P.C. regulations became effective from 6 April 2008 for dwellings.
For all homes that are physically completed on or after 6 April 2008, there is now a requirement to provide an EPC. This means when the building work is finished a notice must be submitted to Building Control, which includes an energy rating to demonstrate the building complies with the Building Regulations. By the same date on the notice, an EPC must be obtained from an accredited 'On Construction Energy Assessor'. The EPC must be given to the owner of the building, with evidence to Building Control that this has been carried out.
Energy Performance Certificates - Non-domestic buildings
From 1 October 2008 sellers and landlords will be required by law to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for all buildings or parts of buildings when they are sold or rented.
Those carrying out the construction of a building will be required to provide an EPC to the owner.
An Energy Performance Certificate gives prospective buyers or tennants information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building.
The certificate will be phased in from 6 April 2008 when buildings sold, rented or built with a total floor area of more than 10,000sq m will require one.
From 1 July 2008, this extended to buildings with a total floor area greater than 2,500sq m. From 1 October 2008 all remaining commercial buildings will require an EPC on sale or rental or upon construction.
An EPC should be provided to a prospective buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than when a viewing is conducted or when written information is provided about the building or in any event before entering into a contract to sell or let.
Property sellers or landlords are responsible for ensuring there is an EPC available for the accommodation being sold or let even if an agent or another service-organisation is acting on your behalf.
When a building is constructed, it is the responsibility of the person carrying out the construction when the building is physically complete to give an EPC and recommendations report to the owner of the building and to notify Building Control that this has been done.
The Energy Performance Certificate looks similar to the certificates now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
It tells potential buyers and tenants about the energy performance of a building so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy that building. All EPC's come with a recommendation report, ehich includes advice and suggestions on improvements you could make to save money and energy.
An EPC for a commercial building is valid for 10 years, or until a newer EPC is prepared. During this period the EPC may be available to buyers or new tenants.
Code for Sustainable Homes
A legislative framework has been introduced that will bring in mandatory ratings under the Code for Sustainable Homes for all new-build housing. This is part of the government's package to increase the energy efficiency of new buildings with the aim of the future strengthening of the Building Regulations. All new homes will have to be zero carbon rated by 2016.
The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, rating the 'whole home' as a complete package. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability perfrmance of a new home. The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level.
Note: in 2006 the Government announced a 10-year timetable towards a target that all new homes from 2016 must be built to zero carbon standards, to be achieved through a step-by-step tightening of the Building Regulations.
Building Control Charges
Increased charges came into force on 1 April 2008, in line with inflation.
A similar rise has been applied to Schedule 1 (Housing) and Schedule 3A (other work) for projects up to £100,000. Charging levels in these schedules have remained unaltered since 2003.
The schedules of charges for all types of work can be viewed on the web site at www.epnbc.gov.uk/planning.buildingcontrol
New homes to cater for an aging population
Every new home built in England will have to be designed to suit an ageing population, under government plans. Ministers want all new homes to include 16 features such as stairs wide enough for stair lifts, downstairs bathrooms, and room for wheelchairs to turn.
Builders have until 2010 to show they are adopting the standards, with threat of compulsion from 2013 if not. Future housing must meet the needs of older people. The idea is to build homes, which do not need costly adaptations as owner's age.
The government wants to expand the support given to older people to help them live safely and, where they choose, independently in [their] own homes. All new social housing built from 2011 will have to be built to the new "lifetime homes" standard, and the hope is that private sector houses will also meet it. The government is convinced developers will find a good market for age-friendly homes.
Flood resilience
A new guide advising industry on how to reduce damage to new buildings in flood risk areas issued by Communities and Local Governemnt, DEFRA and the Environment Agency, has been published.
The Government says that the guide, 'Improving the flood performance of new buildings: flood resillient construction', is a precursor to new Building Regulations on flood resilliance, which will be introduced in the future.
DD9999 - Fire Safety in the Design, Construction and Use of Buildings
The concept of Fire Risk Assessment has had a major impact on the design of both new and existing buildings. This has been reflected in recent changes in fire safety practice and procedures and in particular the introduction of fire safety engineering principles at various levels in the design of new buildings. A new standard BS9999 Fire Safety in the Design, Construction and Use of Buildings has been released as a draft for development and when incorporated will replace most of the current BS5588 series of standards.
'Draft Document 9999' has been published and will have a massive impact on the way the fire safety requirements of a building are determined. It will result in extended travel distances, reduced corridor, exit and stair widths. Application of the standard will result in reduction in the number of staircases required in a building. All this means massive savings for the client. The standard will be a huge design aid in the future in fire safety design.
For years architects and designers have argued that every building is individual and the fire safety requirements should reflect this individuality. To date this has not been the case and designers have had to argue on merit their preferred course of action. Future fire safety requirements however, will be based on the perceived level of risk in the building. Weaknesses in one aspect of the required fire precautions may be compensated for by strengths in others.
Adopting a risk-based approach can result in massive reductions in the fire safety requirements of new building, particularly in low risk occupancies (e.g. office buildings). Present standards do not take into account the additional benefits of installing active fire systems, (e.g. sprinkler systems), whereas future standards will.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Recent changes in fire safety legislation will have an impact on us all. New requirements will shift the responsibility for fire safety in the workplace away from certification and more towards management control.
The main effect of the changes has resulted in a move towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises, including the voluntary sector and self-employed people with premises separate from their homes.
Responsibility for complying with the Fire Safety Order will rest with the 'responsible person'. In a workplace, this is the employer and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises, eg the occupier or owner. In all other premises the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible. If there is more than one responsible person in any type of premises, all must take all reasonable steps to work with each other.
Implementation of the Order was effective from 1 October 2006. Further information can be obtained from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Community Fire Protection, Chester Fire Station, St Anne Street, Chester, CH1 2HP. Telephone 01244 322222.
