Category: News
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Common test used to measure leaky homes may be flawed, research finds
Airtightness ‘blower door’ tests, also known as fan pressurisation tests, are used to diagnose the airtightness or leakiness of a building’s enclosure. They help determine how energy efficient homes are and what EPC grade a home receives, as well as ensuring it has sufficient ventilation to prevent damp and mould. View the original article and…
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Ex-Tilbury Douglas CEO takes over as CIOB president
Speaking at CIOB’s annual Members’ Forum in Belfast this week, Gandy said: “As members of a professional body that is a critical enabler for delivering globally significant buildings and infrastructure, we have an obligation to be influencers in our own way – to be advocates of modern professionalism to our colleagues, our businesses, and our…
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Engineering trade body suspends 14 member companies after competence failures
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has suspended 14 member companies for failing to comply with its independent audit process. All the companies were found to have failed to meet the standard required in BESA’s Competence Assessment Standard, which covers business practices, financial solvency, insurance, health and safety, and technical proficiency. It is also fully…
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Demolition firm prosecuted after worker falls 6m through roof
Lawrie (Demolition) Ltd, of Rigifa, Cove, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £40,562.50 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on 12 June 2025. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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‘Lucky nobody was killed’: company fined after house collapse injures four
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector says it was “lucky nobody was killed” after four men were injured, including two seriously, when the first floor of a house collapsed during building works. Aryn Stones Ltd had been contracted to build a new domestic property in Hampstead, north London. On 31 May 2022, remedial works…
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‘It lays good foundations’: industry reacts to infrastructure strategy
Image: Kawee Wateesatogkij via Dreamstime.com The built environment has welcomed the funding certainty of the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy, which includes £725bn investment over the next decade for essential projects across the country. Here’s what organisations in the built environment are saying about it. David Barnes, head of policy and public affairs at the Chartered…
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UK infrastructure strategy: five highlights
This is the first time the UK has set out a long-term strategy that bringstogether economic infrastructure (transport, energy, water and wastewater,waste, digital and flood risk management) and housing and social infrastructure(hospitals, schools and colleges and prisons and courts). View the original article and our Inspiration here
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Report slams historic mishandling of HS2 as more delays announced
A new report has criticised what transport secretary Heidi Alexander has called a “litany of failure” at HS2. The Stewart Review into the megaproject flags historic mishandling, lack of ministerial oversight and scrutiny, inadequate control of the project by HS2 Ltd and a lack of effective incentives with the supply chain that will result in taxpayers paying billions…
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Laing O’Rourke installs first modular lift at Network Rail testing site
Laing O’Rourke and Finnish lift engineering company Kone have manufactured and installed the first offsite-constructed lift at the Network Rail test track in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. The lift was removed from the trailer bed of the delivery vehicle and installed fully upright in 26 minutes, Laing O’Rourke said. The modular lift is designed for use…
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Inquiry launched into Building Safety Regulator delays
The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has issued a call for evidence for its short inquiry into the Building Safety Regulator. The inquiry will focus on reports of delays to approvals by the regulator for new high-rise buildings and maintenance of existing buildings. Gateway 2 approvals, which should be taking 12 weeks for…