Month: September 2017

Just Published: Observations on regulations, standards, quality and experience in the wake of Grenfell

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Not what anyone wanted: Observations on regulations, standards, quality and experience in the wake of Grenfell

Christopher Gorse and John Sturges: Construction Research and Innovation, Issue 3

Abstract

While many factors will have contributed to the catastrophe at Grenfell Tower, it is clear that the structure itself behaved in a way that no one could possibly have intended. In this article the authors sample the bewildering and sometimes apparently contradictory directions provided by building regulations, and review how fire safety precautions, while seeming adequate on paper, can be undermined on contact with observed on-site practice.

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Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Enterprise leaders crowned at Leeds Sustainability Institute annual awards

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The winners of Leeds Beckett University’s annual RISE Awards, that celebrate research, innovation, sustainability and enterprise have been announced by the School of Built Environment and Engineering.

The RISE awards (#RISE2017 for the social media savvy!), organised by the Leeds Sustainability Institute were established in 2015 as a means of bringing together both industry and academia to highlight new sustainable initiatives, schemes, technologies and products being developed or in use today. Presented by Gaynor Barnes from ITV Calendar and sponsored by CITU UK, a leading low carbon homes developer, eighteen awards were handed out in front of an audience of over one hundred and twenty individuals at the Marriott hotel in Leeds last Thursday night. Winners came from a vast array of environments, specialisms and backgrounds with accolades awarded for best research, sustainable developments, social value, enterprise, collaboration and education and training amongst others. All entrants, highly commended and winners displayed the passion and dedication to do things better and to elevate the spaces around us to being fit for twenty-first century living.

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