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Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Grenfell - what else are we missing Part 2

Part 2 - Fire Stopping Systems   Having previously looked at the fire risks associated with the poor cleaning of ventilation systems, this week we turn to look at fire stopping systems. Passive fire protection, which includes compartmentalization of the entirety of buildings through fire-resistance rated walls and floors, prevents or slows the spread of fire from the room of origin to other...

Friday, July 7, 2017

Grenfell - what else are we missing?

It goes without saying that many lessons will have to be learned as a result of the horrifying Grenfell Tower tragedy, but improving the way Building Regulations are applied and enforced should be at the top of the list, according to Tim Rook* of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). The investigations over the coming weeks and months must address apparent systemic failures and...

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Large companies facing digital death

Large construction firms are missing the digital revolution - and it is killing them, says Tim Rook*. It is incredible in this day and age and after the way digital technology has transformed our lives that the construction industry still thinks about IT as a separate part of the business and is still discussing its ‘potential’. The industry’s leadership do seem to be aware that a digital...

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Why diversity matters

Rob Driscoll, BESA Director of Legal and Commercial

Is diversity a purely moral and social issue that we have a duty to address – or is it actually the key to our sector’s future prosperity? BESA’s legal and commercial director Rob Driscoll explains. For BESA and our members, it stands to reason that in order to have the best possible sector; we must attract new entrants from a diverse talent pool. Businesses perform better when they reflect the...

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Here we go again…

Paul McLaughlin, BESA Chief Executive

I suspect quite a few people reacted in a similar fashion to the latest internet sensation ‘Brenda from Bristol’ when the PM shocked the nation with her announcement of a snap General Election. “What…not another one!” has been adopted as a slogan by many voters wearied by two years of unprecedented political turmoil, but will another election really make that much difference to us as an...