Hot Topics Flashcards
What is COP 29 ?
For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits – called COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority.
Currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Are you aware of the impact of recent events on steel ?
Increased in 2022 when Russia went to war with Ukraine.
Building Safety Bill
The HSE will oversee the enforcement of the new building safety regime and has already started pressing the affected parties such as designers to get them prepared for these changes.
What are Net Zero targets ?
All businesses applying for government contracts worth more than £5 million per year are required by law to commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Why were the New Rules of Conduct introduced ?
Provide a simpler structure, making it easier for RICS members and firms to understand our rules, providing more confidence for clients and the public.
Supporting documents of NRMs?
As with NRM 1 and NRM 2, there are supporting documents available as downloadable Excel files to assist users with the preparation of estimates and cost plans that are in accordance with NRM 3.
https://www.rics.org/uk/upholding-professional-standards/sector-standards/construction/nrm/
Are you aware of any RICS Reviews ?
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Governing Council has appointed Lord Michael Bichard to lead an independent review into the Institution’s Purpose, Governance and Strategy.
The Bichard RICS Review will make firm recommendations on the purpose and governance structure of RICS, and provide advice on values, culture and strategy for an incoming leadership team and Governing Council to take forward.
What is the Building Safety Act ? and its status ?
The Building Safety Bill received Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. The Building Safety Act 2022 (Act) marks a fundamental change of approach to building safety that applies from a building’s design stage and throughout its lifecycle.
The Act introduces a new regulatory building safety regime and measures to deal with higher risk buildings in England (the approach of Scotland and Wales is different). The new regime will, once implemented, include three “gateways” through which each building project must pass to ensure building safety requirements and clear responsibilities are met before the project can progress to the next stage.
New provisions will govern construction products and the management of building fire safety risks, as well as competency standards. The Act also aims to provide statutory protections for leaseholders including (in most circumstances) protection from the cost of fixing historic building safety risks. Where an affected building’s developer, owner or freeholder is not found or made liable, costs for remedying such risks will be paid from the fund established by the government using the proceeds of a developer levy. The Act enables the government to take action against those who do not pay for remedial works.
Key roles established (or soon to be established) under the Act include the HSE as Building Safety Regulator (with the HSE’s Peter Baker appointed as Chief Inspector of Buildings), a national regulator for construction products (which has been established within the Office for Product Safety and Standards), the Architects Registration Board that has the power to monitor architects’ competence, the New Homes Quality Board and the New Homes Ombudsman.
What is the governments targets with regards to sustainability and environment ?
Recent budget prioritised infrastructure investment , green technologies and various sustainability initiatives.
120million allocated to Green Industries Growth , development of supply chains, offshore wind farms, carbon capture.
Funding for 11 new green hydrogen projects.
8.3bn to GB Energy
Are you aware of any new materials being trialled for use ?
‘Green concrete’ UK’s first cement free masonry mortar launched. Uses industry bi products
https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2022/10/31/uks-first-cement-free-masonry-mortar-launched/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin
What is IPMS?
International Property Measurement Standards
IPMS All Buildings was introduced in Jan 2023 and now supersedes all previous standards
Are you aware of the changes the RICS recently made around its use of Membership Cards?
Cards used to be issued every year, now they receive a digital card
What was the reason for IPMS All Buildings?
A shorter and more concise format
Organised into 4 volumes for different groups
What are different volumes of the IPMS?
IPMS 1 – External Measurements for Whole or Part of a Building.
IPMS 2 – Internal Measurements for Whole or Part of a Building.
IPMS 3.1 – External Measurements for Exclusive Occupation.
IPMS 3.2 – Internal Measurements for Exclusive Occupation.
IPMS 4.1 – Internal Measurements for Selected Areas including Internal Walls and Columns.
IPMS 4.2 - Internal Measurements for Selected Areas excluding Internal Walls and Columns.
Please explain your understanding of the key definitions set out within the IPMS?
Internal Dominant Face – The inside surface area comprising more than 50% of the lowest
2.75m measurement vertically from the structural floor surface, or to the ceiling if lower, for each
wall section.
Component – One of the main elements into which the floor area of a building can be allocated.
Component Area – The floor area attributed to one of the components.
Standard Facilities – Shared areas in a building that typically do not change over time, such as
circulation areas, stairs, escalators, lifts/ elevators, toilets, cleaners cupboards, plant rooms, fire
refuge areas and maintenance rooms.
