CROSS-UK Newsletter 73 has been published and includes expert comment on fire safety and structural safety reports. The PDF version, accessed via the button below, also includes a range of building safety updates.
Newsletter content
Modular construction design concerns
A reporter highlights concerns regarding fire travel in a modular floor cassette with inbuilt services.
Sudden collapse of 1850s stone balcony
A stone balcony collapsed without warning from first floor level onto steps below.
Horizontal mains used as a solution to meet vehicle access requirements
Approved Inspectors and building control bodies are increasingly accepting horizontal mains as a solution to meet the firefighting vehicle B5 access requirements of Approved Document B (ADB).
Overloading of older multi storey and underground car parks
A reporter shares concerns that the significant increase in size and gross weight of vehicles may impact the safety of some older car parks.
Use of Table B3 of Approved Document B for loadbearing external walls
A reporter is concerned about the apparent selective reading of Table B3 of Approved Document B (ADB) by some designers.
Fraudulent use of calculations from another engineer
A reporter was informed by building control of attempts made by another engineer to pass off the work of the reporter’s firm as their own.
Unusual steelwork connection discovered during fit-out works
While involved with the fit-out works of the building, an unusual steelwork connection is found during the inspection of the existing structure.
Student accommodation occupied before critical safety features commissioned
Student accommodation was partially occupied before critical safety features were commissioned, based on a letter of comfort from the building control body.
Corrosion of heritage railing leads to a fall and a near miss
A severely corroded railing on a seaside promenade gave way and a member of the public fell four metres onto the beach below.
Responsible Person failed to react appropriately to a smoke control system failure
A Responsible Person registered a defect relating to an eleven storey residential building with a single protected firefighting staircase, but did not act upon the defect.
Poor electrical safety standards in fire alarm installation
A concern was received regarding electrical safety practices.
Concerns about solar PV installation
The reporter, a chartered engineer, considered the installation of solar PV panels on the roof of their home. The reporter was surprised to be advised by a potential supplier of the panels that there was no need for a building regulations application because the installer has NICEIC and MCS certification.
Who should submit designs to comply with Approved Document Part A of the Building Regulations
A reporter received a set of plans for a domestic modification and found that, despite being developed by the architect alone, they contained specific structural information such as steel member sizes and connection details.
Fire safety concerns in a residential building
A reporter, who is engaged as a regulator, has carried out a fire safety audit of a residential building and has found several points of concern. It is interesting to note that CROSS is receiving a greater quantity of this type of report.
Chemical attack on structural enclosures
A reporter has witnessed instances where the corrosive atmosphere created by waste water treatment and refuse recycling plant being enclosed has caused the structure to become initially unserviceable and, in due course, hazardous.
Compartmentation issues found in premises converted to residential flats
A fire safety audit of a premises that was converted from commercial premises to residential use, identified that there were potential fire compartmentation and other safety issues.
Engineer asked to provide calculations for a dangerous refurbishment
This is about the refurbishment of a historic, traditional build house and the difficulties encountered by a reporter when interacting with the owner over the construction of a new basement adjacent to the existing east wing. There had been a partial collapse and there was an excavation adjacent to the wall.
Performance of acoustic separation in a floor system
The reporter started to investigate the performance of standard details for acoustic separation in the floors between flats and is concerned about the structural, and possibly the fire safety implications.
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