Fourth Buildeng Conference for CABE Southern Region

On 9 November, the Southern Region held their fourth Regional Conference in Bloomsbury.

Delegates were able to visit the exhibition stands of Envirograf®, Surespan Ltd, The Residential Property Surveyors Association, and conference sponsor - Elmhurst Energy.

There was a mixed programme of presentations, with Past President Stewart McArthuroffering a talk on Quality Management.

This was followed by CABE President Joseph Birt, who offered a talk around ‘Learning from Mistakes of the Past’, which focused on the fire at Rosepark care home in Scotland. A CABE update was then provided by Dr Gavin Dunn, who briefly outlined the new competency system.

The next talk came from John Figueira, a Timber Framed Consultant Structural Engineer. John discussed the considerations required when involved in a timber frame building. We then heard an update refresher on the changes to Part L and O, from Jason Hewins, New Build Dwellings Manager at Elmhurst Energy.

After lunch there was an interesting presentation by Adrian Butler, from The Fire Protection Association, who offered a talk on electric vehicles and the concept of fire safety that should be considered around charging points.

He was followed by Alistair Douglas, from Pre-construct Archaeology, who spoke around the case study of Holywell Priory in Shoreditch, which was part of an extensive archaeology dig while

major construction was being undertaken to create a new office and hotel development on the site.

After a tea break the delegates listened to a presentation from David Kirkwood from NHBC, who introduced them to the world of ‘Commercial Risk’, what it entails, and how it is managed.

The final speaker of the day was Les Ryder (Chartered Building Engineer) from Hertfordshire Building Control, who provided an insight and quick guide to water suppression systems that can be used in buildings.

The Southern Regional committee were pleased to host the Chairman of the CABE Hong Kong Chapter Kyran Sze 施家殷, who happened to be visiting London at the time and was able to make arrangements to join us.

The next Regional event will be on 7 December for an online webinar presentation by Cyril Knabe-Nicol, who will go through a worked example of a ‘Simplified Method of Calculations’ for Approved Document O.

If you are interested in attending please register here

The Region appreciate the support offered by members in attending the event.

Southern Regional Chair
Michael Wadood