Welcome to the April edition of theNBS.com eNewsletter

In this issue we give you information about the launch of NBS Perspective, discuss the forthcoming Environmental permitting regulations, and highlight a selection of new books available from RIBA Bookshops.

NBS Perspective

We are thrilled to announce the launch of NBS Perspective, a new document management and collaboration system, designed to make it easier to view, organise and share information and project documentation.

As an NBS subscriber, you now have access to this new software product free of charge on your update CD*. When you have installed this update CD you will notice a new icon on your desktop. Open NBS Perspective to find out how it could benefit you and your office.

Read more >>

* At least one licence to the Professional Edition of NBS Perspective will be issued free of charge for use until your next renewal date plus another 12 months. During this time additional Professional Edition licences can be purchased. After this time you can continue to use the Project Edition free of charge or subscribe to the Professional Edition. Prices available on request.

NBS Learning Channels

NBS Learning Channels are a new suite of video based learning services for individuals and organisations working in the architecture, design and construction industry. Each channel subscription is tailored to a specific profession and is available online, in CD-ROM or DVD formats.

Individual channels contain a series of high quality programmes focussed on recent projects and events, created by leading industry professionals and experts in the field. Interactive quizzes ensure you test your learning as you go along and get the most from your subscription.

Programme content
* Click the image below and you will link to the video page.

T5: The main terminal building
Heathrow Terminal 5's main terminal building has been constructed on the site of an old sewage treatment works to the west of the airport.

Designing for disability
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has important implications for new and existing buildings. This programme looks at the regulations and guidance available.

Read more >>

Update 2008-1

With every update, the NBS grows and develops. As an NBS subscriber, you'll know that the National Building Specification changes to reflect the industry, with new sections and clauses. You'll also know that the reference documents we cite are always changing, and that keeping up to date has never been more important. Use the information here to make sure that your specifications are always current.

Read more >>

Environmental Permitting Regulations

The environmental permitting system for the first phase of the Environmental Permitting Regulations Programme (EPP1) comes into force on April 6th 2008. This article looks at the regulations and guidance for the new system.

Some activities harm the environment and human health unless they are controlled. The Environmental Permitting Programme regime requires operators to obtain permits for some facilities, the registration of exemptions for other facilities and ongoing supervision by regulators. The aim of the regime is to:

Protect the environment
Deliver permitting and compliance effectively and efficiently, providing increased clarity and minimising the administrative burden on both the regulator and the operators of facilities
Encourage regulators to promote best practice in the operation of facilities
Continue to fully implement European legislation.

The regime covers facilities previously regulated under the Pollution prevention control (PPC) regulations and waste management licensing and exemptions. The regime extends to England and Wales, also covering the adjacent sea as far as the seaward boundary of those countries.

Read more >>

Rainscreen cladding: Letting air in to keep rain out

NBS Shortcuts Rainscreen cladding has been around, in various guises, for centuries, but its modern, scientifically-validated incarnation was developed in Scandinavia during the 1940s. Since then, two systems - drained and ventilated and pressure equalised - comprising a notionally impervious and a permeable outer layer respectively, have been widely specified.

In an exclusive extract from NBS Shortcuts written by noted industry figure Austin Williams, we introduce rainscreen cladding and its use in the UK. The full text of this NBS Shortcut is exclusively available as part of NBS Building Regulations.

RIBA Product Selector 2008 – now published

Register for your free annual copy of RIBA Product Selector 2008.

For over 25 years RIBA Product Selector has been the most comprehensive and valued building product and information directory in the industry.

The 2008 edition contains 7,800 manufacturer contact details, 24,000 trade names, 1,000 structured technical pages and 1,000 advisory organisations.

New books from RIBA Publishing

Keep up to date with the latest design and construction reading with these new releases from RIBA Publishing. All books featured are available to order from RIBA Bookshops.

A Client's Guide to Health and Safety for a Construction Project under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 – This is a fully up-to-date and straightforward guide which aims to assist construction clients in understanding the health and safety duties imposed upon them by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and to help ensure that a project is safe to build, use and maintain. It cuts through the complicated legislation to reveal the difference between ‘non-notifiable' and ‘notifiable' projects, the role of the CDM Co-ordinator, how to determine the competence of other duty-holders, what may expected from those working within a design team, and any legal liabilities to be aware of.

Building Construction Handbook – Building Construction Handbook
is an authoritative reference for all students and professionals. It is full of detailed drawings that clearly illustrate the construction of building elements. The principles and processes of construction are explained with the concepts of design included where appropriate. Extensive coverage of building construction practice and techniques,
representing both traditional procedures and modern developments, are also included to provide the most comprehensive and easy to understand guide to building construction.

Metric Handbook – The Metric Handbook is a unique authoritative reference for solving everyday planning problems. It has sold well over 100,000 copies worldwide to successive generations of architects
and designers – this is a book that truly belongs on every design office desk and drawing board.

This new edition has been updated to include the most recent
changes to regulation and practice – in particular the increasing emphasis on environmental legislation - to meet the needs of the modern building design professional.

Timber Frame Construction – The fourth edition of Timber Frame Construction reflects significant growth in the market for timber frame buildings, and incorporates changes in building regulations. All sections have been revised to reflect current best practice and regulatory requirements. There is also an increasing focus on improving the sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings. New timber frame buildings are particularly well placed to meet these requirements, because they use a truly sustainable material, offering high insulation values and good airtightness.

Coming soon:

Guide to IC05 – Guide to IC05, the new edition of Sarah Lupton's very successful Guide to IFC98, is a practical guide to the operation and administration of the JCT Intermediate Building Contract 2005. As well as covering the recent amendment to take account of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, it points out the important new changes to the contract compared to the old 1998 version and reflects on up-to-date legal cases which serve as valuable lessons for the unwary. The contract's provisions, procedures and supplementary conditions are organised and defined by subject and are supported by useful indexes, while clause comparison tables allow a quick and easy way to understand how it relates to the old contract.

Pre-order your copy today and take advantage of our pre-publication offer price. Your book will be despatched on publication.

Most popular NBS articles - March

Find out what NBS website visitors are reading. This month, we round up the most popular technical articles from March on www.theNBS.com.

The benefits of master specifications
Specification is an essential part of the design process. Unfortunately, for most engineers, it is the least enjoyed task. This often results in specifications of inferior quality. If a specification is written badly it can cause major problems for every member of the construction team, and can cost the client a great deal of money. If the specification is well written it can enhance project delivery for the whole construction team while saving everyone money.
Read more >>

Specifying colour
There is a veritable rainbow of standards for the generic specification of colour. John Gelder, Content development manager, looks for the pot of gold.
Read more >>

Replacing refrigerant R22
Because of the adverse impact of CFCs, HCFCs and halons on the environment (ozone depletion, global warming) we should avoid specifying these gases as refrigerants. This article brings you up to date on alternatives to one commonly-used HCFC refrigerant, R22.
Read more >>

Preliminaries and contemporary procurement
With the construction industry adopting design and build, partnering, or PFI procurement for certain sized projects, NBS is consulting with subscribers to understand and formulate proposals that address the particular challenges associated with these procurement routes. A workshop on preliminaries was held as a step in this investigation.
Read more >>

BackToTop