Building (Amendment) Regulations 2011

The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2011 come into force on the 15th July 2011.
Circular 02/2011 is available from the CLG website.

Repairs to flat roofs

Essentially the definition of 'renovation' has been changed such that the repair of a flat roof by the addition of a new layer to the existing layers to more than 25% of the roof area does not trigger a requirement to thermally upgrade in accordance with Approved documents L1B and L2B.  In effect this type of work is not notifiable building work.

Competent persons scheme

The changes extend the areas of work which some existing schemes and has introduced a new category that covers work involving the replacement of a window, roof window or door in existing buildings which are not dwellings. There are exceptions that include the replacement of load bearing glass, structural glass, display windows, glazed curtain walling and revolving glass doors.

Details will be available shortly by visiting the Communities and Local government website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/ where you will be able to view the amendments made in Schedule 3 to the 2010 Building Regulations by the Building (amendment) Regulations.

Nailsea Tithe Barn

The conservation of the 15th Century Nailsea Tithe Barn is now complete.
Specialist conservation Architects 'Architecton' of Bristol were the designers and the contractor was W. Coombes & Sons of Ilminster. The project manager was 'Prospect' of Banwell and Oculus Building Consultancy were the Approved Inspectors. The completed refurbishment of this Grade II listed building is now available for a range of community uses including meetings, concerts, wedding receptions, group meetings and community projects. Oculus wish the trustees, Nailsea Town Council all the very best for the future.

Considerate Constructors Awards 2011

As the Approved Inspector Oculus take some pride in being associated with the following contractors who received Considerate Constructors awards at recent ceremonies held in March and April 2011.

Most Considerate Site Runner Up
Laing O'Rourke Wales & West Ltd for their work on Minehead Community Hospital which was designed by DKA Architects, Bath
Gold Award
Laing O'Rourke Wales & West Ltd for their work on South Petherton Community Hospital which was designed by DKA Architects, Bath
Silver Award
Kier Western for their work on Bridgewater College Energy Skills Centre designed which was also designed by DKA Architects, Bath
Silver Award
Leadbitter for their work on a residential development at Cambrian Drive Yate in Bristol designed by Quattro Architects, Bristol.

Landlord fined for inadequate fire precautions

A landlord was sentenced to a fine of £135,000 and ordered to pay £23,000 costs for breaching fire safety regulations when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court on 29th March 2011.

The former owner of the property in Ilfracombe pleaded guilty to four offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
On 14th February 2008 a fire occurred at the premises which was sub divided into flats up to four stories high. The fire, which started on the ground floor, spread throughout the building, in total 13 persons escaped with difficulty to safety
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service subsequently carried out a fire safety audit and discovered that fire safety precautions were inadequate.
If you require formal or informal advice on fire safety then please call us.