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On the 8th November, the Southern Region held their 4th Technical conference in Eastleigh. The event was attended by just under 40 delegates with co-sponsorship coming from Unilin Insulation and SAVA (Surveyors and Valuers Accreditation Ltd) a consultancy and training organisation that is helping Government to produce the mandated Home Condition Report as part of the Home Information Pack. In addition there was exhibition stands from Cooper Fire Ltd, Lamilux Ltd, Adexon.
Following the welcome speech to delegates from Michael Wadood, Regional Chair, the first presentation was from Sean Mills, Technical Director at Build Energy who used the opportunity to offer his viewpoint as a Sustainable Consultant, a year on since the changes to Approved Document L and O. Sean gave a quick overview on the main changes of the guidance documents and them explained areas where they have begun is see issues of concern for certain schemes. It was clear that the Approved Document O was beginning to have a impact of design and there was a need to engage with Sustainable Consultants at a very early stage of the design. Sean also gave an insight into the requirement around photographic evidence which needed to be signed off by the designer, contractor and building control provided to say that the evidence is acceptable.
The speaker sponsor presentation from Unilin Insulation, Laura Katon, Specification Manger followed and spoke about the move towards embodied carbon and the importance that it is going to have in the future with regards to the construction industry, as well as touching on EPD (environmental product declaration).
Following a short break, Kate New, Real Estate Dispute Partner at Foot Anstey, gave a talk around how the legal profession reads the Building Safety Act and the potential avenues where legal action has been taken and could now be taken, as a direct result of the Act and the extension of limited periods for action.
The second speaker sponsor Hilary Grayson, Director of Surveying Services for SAVA gave an introduction into the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which lays foundations for changes to how social housing is managed. The new regulations also aims to protect tenants from landlords neglecting to maintain their building and creating a safe living environment for the tenants.
The last speaker was Dale Anderson FCABE, Head of Building Control for Sweco Building Control Ltd. Dale's presentation introduced the delegates to is issues around proposed mass timber and hybrid frame constructions which are not fully covered within the Building Regulations but are being pursued by client and designer due to their sustainability credentials. Dale's presentation covered: - Routes to compliance - Auto extinction - Fire characteristics/test required and - Product selection. Save The Date: The Southern Region is pleased to be joining the South West in offering a one-day joint conference on the 24th January 2024 at Salisbury Guildhall. Detail of speaker programme TBC. Michael Wadood BSc(Hons), PPCABE, FCABE, FRICS, MCIOB
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Following the welcome speech to delegates from Michael Wadood, Regional Chair, the first presentation was from Sean Mills, Technical Director at Build Energy who used the opportunity to offer his viewpoint as a Sustainable Consultant, a year on since the changes to Approved Document L and O. Sean gave a quick overview on the main changes of the guidance documents and them explained areas where they have begun is see issues of concern for certain schemes. It was clear that the Approved Document O was beginning to have a impact of design and there was a need to engage with Sustainable Consultants at a very early stage of the design. Sean also gave an insight into the requirement around photographic evidence which needed to be signed off by the designer, contractor and building control provided to say that the evidence is acceptable.
