CROSS-UK Newsletter 68 has been published and includes expert comment on fire safety and structural safety reports.
Newsletter content
Potential dangers in misusing fire safety terminology
A reporter highlighted the issue that there are cases where inconsistent and inaccurate fire safety terminology is used.
Corrosion concerns on a pedestrian bridge
A reporter is concerned about a pedestrian bridge that may have reduced load capacity due to corrosion at the root of cantilever supports.
The application of rule-based guidance and potential alternative approaches
A reporter raised with CROSS a series of questions and opinions about the treatment of fire risk in buildings and rule based guidance requirements.
Further example of incorrect finite element modelling
Concerns in respect of the sufficiency of finite element modelling of masonry walls as part of a reinforced concrete framed building.
No worse than existing?
This report discusses the perceived exploitation of a common fire safety argument: the existing condition.
The selection of principal designer and principal contractor
A reporter is concerned that some organisations that they would normally expect to be appointed as principal designer or principal contractor under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 are avoiding such appointments.
The potential impact of scaffolding on fire safety
An issue has been raised with CROSS regarding the risk assessment process when scaffolding is present around an in-use building. It is considered that combustible scaffolding elements can potentially facilitate external fire spread, and additionally impact the performance of some of the building’s fire safety measures.
Cladding failure in strong winds
A reporter writes with concerns about a repeat failure of building cladding, in severe but not exceptional winds, that saw panels fall to the public street below.
Junction of partitioning walls and ceilings
A potential issue has been raised with CROSS, regarding the order of works in partitioning assemblies and how these can affect the performance of compartmentation.
Masonry panels rock in wind due to missing wall ties
Wall ties designed to connect masonry partitions to adjacent steelwork framing were not installed leaving the masonry walls unrestrained. Walls were seen to be rocking in high winds.
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