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BBS - Central Region Expansion
In view of the increased demand for our services, we are pleased to announce that Nigel Parkinson and Kevin Boddington have joined BBS Building Control. Nigel and Kevin have over 36 years combined experience in Building Control in the Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire areas. Their extensive local knowledge and locations are ideal for developing further BBS Building Control’s services for clients in Bedfordshire and the surrounding counties.
Posted: January 16, 2012, 11:15 am
BBS - Awarded Building Control Contract on Branch Place, London Scheme
BBS Building Control is pleased to announce its involvement in the new Rosemary Works, Branch Place project in North London. The proposed mixed-use development will comprise of 52 flats and ground floor commercial units. Further information on the project and the companies involved can be found on our 'Projects' page: http://www.bbsgroup.co.uk/projects.php
Posted: December 22, 2011, 3:48 pm
BBS Building Control - Continued Expansion
BBS Building Control will be opening its new West London office in Windsor soon. Significant increase in Building Control business, across West London and the surrounding areas, has resulted in the expansion of our West London team. This new office will enhance our ability to service work in the area, provide a base for our surveyors and a local office focus for our clients.
We are also expanding our Petts Wood office shortly to accommodate increased administrative support and surveyors for the very busy East and South East London area.
Posted: November 16, 2011, 9:59 am
BBS Environmental - Breakfast Seminar, 20th October
Brands Hatch Hotel was the venue for the latest BBS Seminar. The event was hosted by senior members of our Environmental Team and attended by over 50 delegates from across various sectors of the construction industry. The breakfast meeting provided attendees with the opportunity to hear about the latest regulatory changes within the Code and other environmental/energy related matters. In addition to an update and overview on The London Plan.
The audience was encouraged to ask questions, at any point during the presentation, which resulted in a very interesting and interactive debate throughout the morning.The informal meeting concluded with the opportunity for delegates and BBS staff to continue discussions over tea and coffee in the Racing Bar.
A copy of the presentation is available for viewing by following this link: please click here. Should you wish to email, or speak to: Ellen Huelin, Alex Duckworth or Andrew Mitchell, their contact details can be found at the end of the presentation.
For further information about future BBS events, please contact: John Barham on 01892-893733, or email: j.barham@bbsgroup.co.uk.
Posted: October 21, 2011, 2:45 pm
Channel 4...and Grand Designs Project #3 for BBS Building Control
In Episode 31 of the latest series, Kevin McCloud visits Keston Park, near Bromley to film the demolition of a £1 million home and the erection of a 380m² steel construction, 2 storey, 6-bedroom house. The London architect firm, Spaced Out designed the building and Modillion Homes was the main contractor. Cantifix supplied the glass which incorporates a 'heat mirror technology'; this was the first scheme in the UK to use this product on such a large scale. BBS provided the Building Control - the third Grand Designs project to date.
Posted: October 13, 2011, 3:53 pm
150 High Street, Stratford, London
Client: Genesis Housing Association
Developer: Ardmore Group
Architects: KDS Associates and Stock Woolstencroft
Environmental Assessors: BBS Environmental
The High Street, Stratford scheme, located at the approach to the 2012 Olympic Games, will provide over 700 homes. The project includes five new residential blocks, one of which will be one of the highest residential towers in London.
All blocks are currently under construction, with blocks F and G due to be completed very soon. The remaining blocks are due for completion in Q4 of 2012.
Part of the site has an interesting history: Warton House, which is located at 150 High Street, Stratford, was previously occupied by Yardley, the perfume and soap maker. One wall of the building is covered with a large mosaic depicting a lady and two children carrying baskets of lavender. The design was adapted from one of the Cries of London illustrations which were produced at the end of the 18th Century. Oddly enough, not far away, a bridge which was replaced by the Bow Flyover, was reputedly referred to as "Stinkhouse Bridge". This was caused by the stench from chemical works and a neighbouring factory making glue from the bones collected by rag and bone men.
The mural has been preserved within the redevelopment of the site and two storeys added to the original building.
Sustainable elements within the scheme include: CHP plant, biomass boilers, rainwater harvesting and green and brown roofs, as well as water-saving sanitaryware, together with considerable areas of water attenuation on the 1.3-hectare Thames-side site.
Posted: August 15, 2011, 1:05 pm
St. Andrews Wins Housing Design Award
Phases 1 and 2 of the St Andrew's Housing development, in Bromley-by-Bow, close to the 2012 Olympic Park, have been awarded three Awards at a ceremony at Portcullis House, London. The scheme won a Housing Design Award, as well as the Graham Pye Award for 'plan form best suited to family living' and the 'Community Consultation Award'.
St. Andrews is a landmark regeneration scheme being delivered by Barratt Homes, working in partnership with the London Development Agency (LDA), the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Circle Anglia. The LDA, funded by the HCA, acquired the former St Andrew's Hospital site for £18 million. This regeneration scheme will provide 964 new homes, health care facilities and high quality public spaces.
The first phase of the development, designed by Allies and Morrison, provides the new health centre for the Tower Hamlets PCT and 194 new homes, of which 96 are affordable. The second phase, designed by Mccreanor Levington, delivers 230 new homes, of which 70% are affordable. Phase 3, designed by Glenn Howells, will deliver 227 new homes and is scheduled for completion shortly. BBS Environmental has completed the SAP calculations and CfSH (Level 3) Certification on the first two phases.
BBS Environmental is a leading provider of construction environmental assessment methodologies, offering a complete range of Code for Sustainable Homes, SAP, SBEM and BREEAM assessments. For further information, please contact: Andrew Mitchell, Director Environmental Services on 01892-893162. To email Andy, please click here.
Posted: August 9, 2011, 4:20 pm
Summer Overheating in Buildings
With our climate in the UK such that it is, legislation and energy efficiency targets have naturally focused on reducing heat escaping from our homes and buildings. However, is the industry considering the impact of the warmer months on the comfort temperatures? In fact it is often suggested that the very energy efficient measures designed to reduce heating requirements may increase the risk of overheating. This is of particular concern when the latest climate research indicates that we are due to see significant increases in average temperatures. And this within the designed lifespan of most buildings built today. In order to avoid the need to retro fit cooling systems, designers will need suitable guidance to truly deliver sustainable and future proof buildings.Current guidance exists but is limited at best and is often not thoroughly investigated during the design process. CIBSE Guide A (Environmental Design) is a focus for the industry and provides guidance on comfort and appropriate overheating thresholds. Typically the thresholds are fixed temperatures that should not to be exceeded. Research shows that people's perception of comfort is more complex than this. For example, people can adapt to different climates given time. This along with other factors will feature in future guidance and be based around variable maximum temperatures taking into account recent local weather. The new guidance is likely to be available later this year.
Looking to future proof buildings based on the probable changes to our climate over the next century will become a bigger issue. The general consensus is that designing for a variable climate should be tackled at an early stage and may well find its way into the planning process. In addition to comfort guidance several projects are underway that look to provide new weather data based on predicted climate. One such project is known as Prometheus (http://centres.exeter.ac.uk/cee/prometheus/) and will be a useful tool for computer modelling the impact altered climate will have on our buildings.
Alex Duckworth is a fully qualified NDEA (Non Domestic Energy Assessor) registered through STROMA and also a CIBSE registered Low Carbon Consultant. To contact Alex, regarding your energy efficiency and thermal modelling requirements, please call: 01892-893170, or email a.duckworth@bbsenvironmental.co.uk
Posted: August 2, 2011, 10:36 am
Code of Practice S105A Water Industry Act (amendment)
On October 1st 2011, the ownership of private sewers and lateral drains will be transferred from the property owners to Water and Sewerage Companies. For the foreseeable future, the majority of these transferred assets are likely to be unmapped and therefore a risk that works will be carried out resulting in impact on access to, or structural integrity of these transferred assets.
Prior to this transfer, property owners were responsible for the entire length of the drain from the point it leaves the building to the connection with the public sewer wherever that situated. Sometimes this meant that the responsibility, for lengths of drain, extended under roads and footpaths, or into the gardens of neighbouring properties. After October 1st, only the length of drain within the curtilage of the property will remain the responsibility of the property owner. The length of pipe that runs from the boundary of the property to the public sewer will become a 'Public Lateral Drain' and henceforth be the responsibility of the local WaSC.
In order to assist with the mapping of these newly designated Public Lateral Drains and Sewers, anyone wishing to develop is requested to consult with their WaSC. It is recommended that in support of either an application for Planning Permission, a Building Regulation application to a Local Authority, or an Initial Notice submission to an Approved Inspector, a plan showing the drain and sewer layout on the land should be submitted.
For further information on the Code of Practice S105A Water Industry Act, please email enquiry@bbsgroup.co.uk
Posted: August 2, 2011, 10:22 am
TGCE - Sustainability Event
Wednesday, June 15th - The Compressor House in London's Docklands was, once again, the venue for TGCE's latest meeting. The event included a very interesting discussion on the Siemens Urban Sustainability Centre which is currently under construction beside the Royal Victoria Dock. The £30 million scheme, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, with Pringle Brandon as lead consultant and interior architect, is scheduled for completion in Q2 2012, ahead of the Olympic Games.
Matt Barker, Chairman of TGCE, opened the meeting. The speakers were: David Kitching, Project Manager, Siemens Plc and Simon Attwood, Head of Sustainability, ISG Construction. ISG has been appointed to manage the construction works and Simon gave a fascinating insight into this unique project. A lively Q&A session followed the presentations. Paul Newman, Principal, Juice Architects raised several thought provoking questions.
Posted: June 17, 2011, 4:04 pm
Code Level 6 Project - New Crane's Court, Basildon Essex
Client: Swan Housing Association
Developer: Denne Construction
Architect: The Tooley & Foster Partnership
Environmental Assessor: BBS Environmental
One of the largest zero carbon projects in the Thames Gateway continues apace. The first homes are now built and the project is set for completion toward the end of this year. Crane's Court is the first housing development to have its heating and electricity provided by a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit fuelled by glycerol, a waste product of bio-diesel. This innovative approach avoids the installation of solar panels, which was an important issue with the planners. It is expected that the plant will deliver an annual excess of electricity which will be sold to the national grid.
BBS Environmental is conducting the SAP and CfSH (Level 6) assessments on the entire scheme. The majority of the homes have been orientated to make best use of natural sunlight. Heating requirements in the 28 new houses and flats will be kept to an absolute minimum with average wall U values of 0.15 W/m2K or better to an exceedingly high air tightness standard. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery reduces CO2 loss further. With the site being evaluated as having ecological value owing to significant mature trees, achieving Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes was particularly difficult. The design therefore had to gain maximum points from non-ecology sections within the Code and therefore encompassed the whole range of ambitions of the code. 100% of the available credits being secured within the water, surface water run-off, waste and management categories.
The listed mediaeval church, St. Andrew with Holy Cross, creates an interesting focal point. Courtyards face the church, with pedestrian and cycle routes passing through the site and car access restricted. Storage areas for bicycles and recycling are also included. A range of additional features, designed to ensure carbon-neutral status, are integrated within the homes.
BBS Environmental is a leading provider of construction environmental assessment methodologies, offering a complete range of Code for Sustainable Homes, EcoHomes and BREEAM assessments. For further information, please contact: Andrew Mitchell, Director Environmental Services on 01892-893162. To email Andy, please click here
Posted: June 16, 2011, 11:40 am
Maple Quay, Canada Water, London - SAP and CfSH Assessments
Client: Southwark Council
Developer: Barratt Homes and BL Canada Quays Ltd.
Architects: CZWG Architects and PKS Architects
Environmental Assessor: BBS Environmental
Canada Water, like so many areas within the Thames Gateway, is undergoing a major transformation. The scheme is being developed by Southwark Council in partnership with British Land Canada Quays (BLCQ) and Barratt East London. At the centre of this multi-million pound development is the new library, designed by Piers Gough of CZWG Architects. Built on the waterfront and main plaza, the library will complement the surrounding homes, restaurants and retail units.
The development consists of several sites: Site B is at its heart, close to the library and forming a backdrop to the main plaza. The mixed use scheme, designed by PKS Architects, comprises of 63 units of which 21 will be affordable homes. The ground floor will be for commercial and retail units. Site A includes over 600 residential units of which 170 will be affordable and 10% disabled homess.
BBS Environmental is conducting the SAP and CfSH (Level 4) assessments on the entire scheme. All plots comply with the Lifetime Homes criteria. The space and water heating is provided by one centralised energy centre, housed within Site B, and includes the following components:
- Biomass pellet boilers
- Natural Gas fire CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant
- Gas condensing boilers
Once complete, this development will provide its residents with a unique environment in which to work, rest and play. With the Canada Water underground station on the doorstep, so many of London's major attractions are only minutes away, including; Canary Wharf, The Excel Centre, The City and The O2 Arena.
BBS Environmental is a leading provider of construction environmental assessment methodologies, offering a complete range of Code for Sustainable Homes, EcoHomes and BREEAM assessments. For further information, please contact: Andrew Mitchell, Director Environmental Services on 01892-893162. To email Andy, please click here
Posted: June 16, 2011, 11:04 am
A Code Compliant Energy Monitor
The past few years has seen a plethora of devices enter this burgeoning market and, as with any products, there are good, bad and indifferent. The latest device, which has undergone extensive field testing, is definitely in the former category. A 3 utility code compliant energy monitor, the device provides real-time information on electricity, water and gas consumption - delivering the maximum two credits (2.34%) toward one's energy assessment.
Whilst the display is very user-friendly, the device incorporates sophisticated software and the latest radio frequency technology, providing accurate real-time data that can be uploaded to a PC enabling in-depth trend analysis. A website portal enables one to upload the data and display in graphs and table format then drill down through the annual, monthly or daily data to see hourly information in either kW, £ or CO2.
Please click here for further information.
Posted: June 16, 2011, 10:50 am