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Building Regulations and Standards: Code for Sustainable Homes - Awareness

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorChadd
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2008
     
    Hi everyone,

    I am currently conducting a research project on the levels of awareness in the UK housebuilding industry
    with regards to the Code for Sustainable homes. I believe that there is a direct link between the size
    of a firm and it levels of knowledge, expertise and awareness to the code.

    Looking at the major UK house builders they have their own departments purely dedicated to sustainable
    development yet I feel that the small 5 man teams working around the country may find themselves left behind.

    Could anybody point me in the right direction or provide some links on where to find information to back up my theory?

    Kind regards

    Chris
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2008
     
    There are very very few 5 man teams in this country, small is 1 or 2, then it jumps to 20+ then into 1000's I think

    Only the big boys can afford to have dedicated depts

    Enforcement will push the rest including the big ones in the right direction.

    I am a 5 person team and understand CSH BREAM GOLD Passivhaus etc but I'm a rarity
  3.  
    I agree with Tony. I work for a small architectural/project management company in Devon, mainly residential work. We generally deal with 1-3 person firms + subbies. Unless something is specified on the plan it won't get done (and even then you can't rely on it) and as for expecting the 14 page spec approved by building regs to be read and acted on, forget it! All most builders want to do is carry on the same way as they are familiar with and it is very hard to get new methods adopted never mind expecting any research or interest in new requirements and technologies. The exceptions are electricians and Corgi plumbers, who have to maintain registration, but they don't seem concerned with sustainability issues.
    Sorry, have no info on links for more info.
    •  
      CommentAuthorali.gill
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    you could try emailing the fed of master builders - they have a monthly publication that might have an article on csh.
    http://www.fmb.org.uk/email/
    http://www.fmb.org.uk/publications/masterbuilder/index.asp

    you could try the local federation of small businesses.
    http://www.fsbonline.co.uk/

    you could contact professional builder magazine to see if you can get a mention and ask for responses. maybe set up a free webpage using google pagemaker or something to explain you research.
    http://www.pro-builder.tv/contactus.html
    •  
      CommentAuthorali.gill
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    looks like hammervville also publish a mag for professional housebuilders and developers - contact details
    http://www.hamerville.co.uk/MAG_PHB.htm
    •  
      CommentAuthorali.gill
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    its pencilled in for the november 2008 issue
    http://www.hamerville.co.uk/FEATURES_JAN/PHPD%20FEATURES%20LIST%202008web.pdf
    you might even get paid for your research !!
    • CommentAuthorPeter A
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    Chadd,
    Don't think that all lagre developers have a sustainability department, that sort of knowledge is hard to buy and you have to be a certain breed of animal to usrvive in the world of the developer. Whilst some do have the odd sustainability person most prefer to work with consultants.
    Also work with a few small developers/builders and you're right the Code is a real shock to them, but at the smaller end some of the solutions they come up with are quite enlightening.
    Good luck with the research, all I can suggest is a good internet search to get contacts in the large developers, but be prepared not to get too much help from them, they are busy people with not a lot of spare time on their hands.
    •  
      CommentAuthorPaulT
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008 edited
     
    Builders will build what is placed in front of them on the plans.(?)

    So, the original problem lies with the Architects. Subsequent problems lie with the financial restrictions placed upon them, but this should not stop them from even being aware of the issues in many cases.

    I am amazed by the lack of environmental knowledge shown by designers in the UK, but it is unfair to criticise them as individuals, so the finger of blame must point towards their professional bodies.

    RIBA, CIAT, etc all require CPD, but do not want to pay for it so it is left to commerical companies, selling products, to provide on going training; Hence the mess (eg Heat Pump sales into poorly insulated buildings).:confused:
    •  
      CommentAuthorDaren
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    PaulT,
    I disagree with your comments that it's the resposibility of the institutes to pay for CPD. I run a small architectural practice in Cornwall and we have been to a number of seminar's throughout the south west, carried out reading and attended commecial training days in order to get knowledge. As a professional it is my responsiblity to ensure that I have an understanding of what is going on in the industry with developments and legislation. I know it takes time, but I feel that it allows us to provide a better service to our clients.

    What I've come across is that the small builders, even up to 15 employees, are only interested in one thing - profit. There are very few who are interested in improving the quality of what they're doing in order to meet the ever changing regulatory requirements.

    Chadd,
    why not contact the Good Homes Alliance members http://www.goodhomes.org.uk/ as a starting point. Also try http://www.ukwebstart.com/listbuilders.html
    •  
      CommentAuthorPaulT
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    Daren, you are only disagreeing from your own perspective; If more practices had your attitude then we would be a lot better off.

    IFI go to a RIBA/CIAT (etc) member practice i do expect high standards and it is the repsonsibility of the institutes to make sure that all of their members reach minimum standards.

    My perspective is from clearing up the mess; Nearly two years on from the new part L the majority of designs I receive are still failing even the most basic of requirements (in SAP).

    Unfortunately the same commercial pressures you complain about (regarding builders chasing profit) also apply to everybody involved in the construction industry - we all want to make a good living - even CSH assessors!

    I think it is impoprtant that we should differentiate between developers and builders. The developers being the people who are uninvolved in the build; To generalise their motivation is to leverage a capital gain through planning. Unfortunately they then have to build on the land to get rid of it!

    Building contractors would, in general, be happy to build to higher standards, all they need are the funds and a level playing field - mandatory CSH and tighter Part L.
    •  
      CommentAuthorDaren
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    PaulT,

    Perhaps you're right, it's easy to look at things from your own perspective.

    I agree with the fact that there is insufficient money available to produce to higher standards. I think that tighter standards will force clients to ensure that they have the correct budget before they commence. Only time will tell.
    •  
      CommentAuthorPaulT
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    Daren,

    One of the good reasons to contribute to this forum is to put out your views and see how people respond, we all grow from it.

    Along with higher standards we also need enforcement - the last two years have been very painful for us as, particularly air tightness consultants; We are still fire fighting projects, at the end, when all of the budget has gone...

    It is very annoying to have failing homes because there are holes behind very expensive kitchens!
    • CommentAuthorChadd
    • CommentTimeMar 24th 2008
     
    Thank you so much for your replies guys - they are really appreciated!

    I'm sure I will have a few more things to discuss on here once my research
    has started.

    Chadd
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeMar 24th 2008
     
    We would be most interested in the results too.
    • CommentAuthor1stBase
    • CommentTimeJul 31st 2008
     
    Just to through it in we are a micro builder/developer just the two of us really and we have just qualified as CSH assesors.

    We have spent many years with National companies, have degrees and professional qualifications but just wanted to get back to being builders (back in the day we were bricklayers).

    We were a total anomaly on the course but anybody who knows there stuff can pull holes in the code most of which appear to be due to the deals cut by the stakeholder groups, anyone know if there were any SME's on there?

    But it's a step in the right direction and feedback does seem to be regarded. Remember to ask the little guys and we can all move forward together.
  16.  
    1stBase (and anyone else)
    My employer (a property developer) is sending me on the BREEAM CSH course in September and I was curious about your remark that you were 'a total anomaly on the course ' do you mean you were the only one who knew what was going on? i.e. you were already in the industry. I am a bit apprenhensive about the course as I am not in 'the trade' so to speak. I have read a great deal of literature about CSH, including the tech guide, but am I likely to find myself out of my depth?
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeAug 8th 2008
     
    no!
    • CommentAuthorTimber
    • CommentTimeAug 8th 2008
     
    I have done and passed that course recently, and it is fine.

    All you need is an analitical mind really. you don't need to know much at all about building science so to speek, but how to take and interpreate guidance!
    • CommentAuthorjon
    • CommentTimeAug 8th 2008
     
    I think you'll also find a greater range of knowledge in SME's from none to vast

    However, you're probably right. BERR recently researched this and asked for comment (quite a few months ago so the results should be available by now). I only remember it because I was asked to comment on it. Might take a bit of research into their site to find it though.
    • CommentAuthor1stBase
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2008
     
    Hi Urban vision

    No I meant we were the only developer/builders on the course. There were a fair number of none technical atendees (though I don't know their results) to be fair we are chartered and have degrees but I'd tend to agree that you just ave to be analytical. The real issue with us was the elements that just don't make sence (energy grouping of appartments etc) in the real world but as we were advised "just learn which box's to tick".
    •  
      CommentAuthoragu
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2008
     
    Urban Vision, you'll be fine on the course and hopefully not out of your depth, as mentioned its about being analitical and using the guidence given.The real learning comes when you are carrying out assessments and it's your knowledge/recommendations that people need/ask for etc.

    Have fun on the course, best of luck
    • CommentAuthorUrbanVision
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2008 edited
     
    Thank you all for the encouragment re the CSH course. I'm feeling much more comfortable about it - I think! :shocked:
  23.  
    interesting reading.
    nobody mentions the role of mechanical and electrical consultants in all of this. We did do lots of resi before the housing bomm fell apart. We would carryout SAP calcs for large resi schemes (normally apartment). We would advise architects and client teams on how to meet their obligations under part L. We would aadvise on which options for heating, ventilation, U values, Glazing specifications and air tightness would meet the SAP requirements.
    We found that very few people we came across from the team new the issues of Part L, not even the Building Control Officers. The role generally fell to us to provide all the advise.
    We were working on code for sustainable homes level 3 in Manchester. This has become a planning condition minimum requirement. We found the best way in apartments of meeting this requirement was using exhaust heat pumps.
    I have not seen much on this forum on this subject. May be start of a new thread?

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