‘Our industry seems incapable of learning from the past’

CM 03/04

Read Alfred Bossom’s report on the state of the construction industry at the time of the building of the Empire State building. The methods and processes then are applicable to construction projects today, no matter how complex and indeed complicated they are.

Our industry seems incapable of learning from the past and rushes headlong into the future without stopping, thinking and applying best practice today.

Mervyn Richards OBE

CM 03/04

I just wanted to send my congratulations to Zethan Anderson MCIOB, who appeared on the show. Had I known he was a member, I would have introduced myself and taken him for a drink, since I was another CIOB member at St Pancras on the same day.

Perhaps we could have played a duet – ‘Anything You Can Build, I Can Build Better’ from Annie Get Your CPDs.

Harry Hussey

CM 06/03

I read with interest the article on high-rise timber buildings by David Hopkins of Timber Development UK (CM, March). I was puzzled by the complete absence of detail on how fire protection for these buildings is achieved. Asserting that timber is environmentally friendly is not enough. It is also a flammable material. Fire protection is a central issue after Grenfell Tower.

John Burgis

Reply from David Hopkins, CEO of Timber Development UK

The article was not intended to be a technical ‘how to’ but rather to explore why we are not seeing taller timber buildings in the UK – which is down to economic factors as much as anything. However, fire safety is of course paramount with timber – as it is with any building material.

Like any building, all these structures must be designed to meet relevant safety regulations and with appropriate knowledge of materials and techniques from competent professionals.  

Timber Development UK has just launched a new website articulating timber fire safety principles for a variety of different situations. It has been developed by fire design and engineering experts and will be professionally curated on an ongoing basis.  

As noted in the article, education is a big barrier to the use of timber in the UK and understanding the fire safety implications is a part of this. When designed and managed appropriately, timber is no more dangerous than any other material, as evidenced by its widespread use in other countries.

CM 22/03

Over 20 years ago, I started my apprenticeship with Balfour Beatty and it was the best entry into construction and the rail industry I could have wished for. More companies should be following suit.

In particular, the National Construction College at Bircham Newton, being the jewel in the crown, is not being fully utilised at present – and needs to be.

Sean Seal

CM 28/03

There are fewer and fewer building contractors willing or interested in smaller domestic refurbs. This is because there are so many self-employed individuals who can do it cheaper.

However, these people tend to be skilled in one trade. The homeowner has to decide whether to trust their bricklayer to find roofers or carpenters for them or find their own.

A chartered builder can then step in as a qualified project manager. You then have a professional using subcontractors instead of direct employees, which is what he would have done 20 years ago.

So, the question is: how does the general public learn about qualified managers and employ them?

Nicholas Everett