At the end of March 2010 a series of new Approved Documents were published which are to come into effect on 1st October 2010. The August 2010 newsletter contains a review of some of the key changes which will impact on design and compliance. Click here to view the latest newsletter or contact our Managing Surveyor, Philip Wright, through our Manchester office on 0161 877 8660.

Would you like to join the Directors of STMC and some of our most important clients at one of the 2011 British Touring Car Championship rounds, enjoying great hospitality, privileged access to top racing teams and fantastic racing?

STMC is looking to reduce its impact on the environment in respect of the production and distribution of its regular newsletters. Currently, approximately 25% of our newsletters are sent to clients via email. We are hoping to significantly increase this number and you can help us in our efforts.

If you email manchester@stmc.co.uk and request to receive all future copies of our newsletters by email you will be entered in a draw to win this fabulous prize. To be included in the draw your request must be received by 31st January 2011. For those of our clients who have already been in receipt of the electronic version of our newsletter for some time, we thank you, and will also include you in the draw.

STMC is pleased to confirm that, following our commitment to upgrade our Quality Assurance accreditation, and the recent external Surveillance Audit, we have been awarded ISO 9001:2008 accreditation. MD, Colin Millward, who is also the Quality Manager, expressed his delight at the news adding “…together with the latest developments in our computer infrastructure and individual surveyor technology, the latest accreditation further underpins the quality of the service we deliver. In the current economic climate it is important that, in a tangible way, we demonstrate our commitment to our clients”. Click here to view the latest newsletter.

STMC (Building Control) Ltd was appointed by Globe Management Services from Warrington, Cheshire in October 2008 to provide a Building Control service for an energy efficient residential development on the old K Shoes site in Kendal. The scheme, which provided 40 sheltered accommodation dwellings, including two bungalows, was to be undertaken for Kendal Riverside Ltd.

For further information about the development click here to read the full newsletter article or contact STMC,s surveyor for the project, Derrick Coley, on 0161 877 8660.

Five years ago STMC developed its own completely integrated Building Control Management system. A bespoke software package was produced and has, since its launch, created many areas of saving, particularly on operational aspects.

Building on this highly efficient network STMC has introduced a major upgrade to the hardware supporting the system to deliver further efficiencies. Additionally, there is a substantial saving on hardware whilst, concurrently, increasing user capacity upto 500 with the potential for further expandability. An added benefit is the substantial cost saving on energy to both drive the hardware and maintain the air conditioning in the server room.

For the full article click here or if you have any queries about the technology behind STMC,s network system and would like to discuss how we can help your organisation make similar savings please contact our IT Manager, Tim Golds, on 0161 877 8660.

As technological support has developed, leading to improved delivery of our Building Control service, so too has the need to reduce the impact of heat created by a large server system. Initially, STMC had to design their latest computer infrastructure to support upto 100 users but, with the recent upgrade can now support upto 500 users.

Conscious of its remit of providing guidance on Building Regulations compliance, and in particular Approved Document L, Conservation of fuel and power, STMC has installed a heat recovery system in its server room. Recovered heat is used to reduce the need to heat the office area, reducing overall heating costs whilst ensuring the effective cooling of the server room.

STMC has highlighted a precedent established by a high court in 2003 which requires STMC to submit Initial Notices and have them accepted by the Local Authority prior to work commencing on site.

In recent months there have been a number of cases where work has started prior to STMC being provided with any instruction or detail. The result has been that we have been unable to provide Approved Inspector services on those projects, much to the disappointment of our clients.

Another important point in the administration process is at the completion stage. The Approved Inspector Regulations require us to issue all Final Certificates within four weeks of a project being completed or if partially completed projects are occupied.

It is, therefore, important that good liason with our clients confirms confirms completion dates in order that, where necessary, we can extend the life of the Initial Notice.

Please contact one of our Building Control Managers for further details.

As Team Honda arrived at Rockingham in late April with renewed enthusiasm, having identified additional fine tuning, Matt Neal secured a front row qualifying position and converted that to a win in the first race. To further boost the team Gordon Shedden took the second place. Race three saw Matt on pole, which he converted to a second win of the day.

At Brands Hatch, one week later, the strength of the Honda Civics was again demonstrated with Gordon securing another two podium finishes whilst, at Oulton Park, in early June, the team secured two more podium finishes, including another win for Matt.

At Croft in mid-June, brilliant performances from Matt and Gordon resulted in the first win of the season for Gordon and in the second race a second 1 – 2 of the season, and another win for Gordon.

With the second half of the season due to commence on 8th August Team Honda is leading the Drivers, Teams and Manufacturer’s Championships.

For the full article and photos click here for the August 2010 newsletter and for more photos of Team Honda and other BTCC teams visit www.jakobebrey.com

STMC has worked alongside the design team for the Knowsley Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme to deliver seven new learning centres, each with student capacities of up to 1400. The designs of the centres have many innovative features from the external cladding types through to large atria spaces.

The main challenge for STMC was the fire safety strategy of the centres and, in particular, the atria in the buildings. With the potential for such large student numbers in the atria, and the floor plate being largely open plan, smoke logging was a distinct possibility.

This fire engineered approach to the fire safety design has ensured the learning centres are safe, user friendly and functional whilst aspiring to the highest design standards.

For the full feature article click here

In April 2010 Building Regulation Part G and an associated approved Document will come into force to replace the longest unchanged Approved Document which was introduced in 1992. The new Part G addresses more recent acknowledgement of the need to consider the sustainability of one of our most important natural resources. Hence, the scope of the new requirement has been extended.

For more information click here to view our September 2009 Newsletter and contact one of our surveyors, Imran Aziz on 01924366296

Although Approved Document B remains as the leading guidance, with effect from 6th April 2009, all but Part 1 (Residential Buildings) of the BS5588 series has been withdrawn, to be replaced with BS9999: 2008.

This new British Standard gives guidance and recommendations on the design, management and use of buildings in relation to fire safety. This includes new buildings, alterations and extensions, in addition to changes of use of existing buildings. The code is applicable to all buildings except individual homes and some specialist buildings and also provides guidance on the ongoing fire safety management for a building throughout its entire life cycle.

STMC was delighted to have been chosen by Essex based developer, Hanningfield Estates, to provide Approved Inspector services for an ambitious project aimed at breathing new life into a disused reservoir and associated buildings at Great Warley, Brentwood.

STMC,s close liason with Winchester Architects practice, Design Engine, enabled innovative design to be included, ensuring cost effective solutions which will provide the completed development with economical running costs whilst, concurrently, having regard for its impact on the environment.

See our December 2008 newsletter for the full story.

As the Clio Cup arrived at Rockingham for the penultimate race meeting of the season Philip Glew only had to secure 25 points from the two races to take the 2009 championship. Having qualified on Pole for both races he convincingly attained two lights-to-flag victories and also the fastest lap in race 2. With an unassailable points lead Philip was crowned the 2009 Champion with two races to go at Brands Hatch at the beginning of October.

Philip’s breathtaking performance this year has resulted in what must be a record with the statistics illustrating his dominance of the series. The full statistics are; 20 races, 18 front row starts including 11 Pole positions, 18 Podium finishes including 11 victories, and 9 fastest laps.

In 2010 Philip is hoping to secure a drive with one of the top British Touring Car Championship teams. STMC are proud to have sponsored Philip over the last six racing seasons and will be continuing our support into next year.

You can see more details and photographs at www.philipglew.com and www.renaultsport.co.uk

As part of the drive to raise awareness of the need to conserve energy it was generally known that there would be a requirement to provide certification for commercial buildings which identified the energy conservation credentials.

Requirements for Energy Performance Certificates to be issued was to be staged with the larger buildings required to be assessed and certificates issued by 6th April 2008.

At the eleventh hour the Government has changed its mind and it is now anticipated that all non-residential buildings will have certification in place by 1st October 2008.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a requirement if you are to sell or rent your property. The requirements are supposed to be fully implemented by October 2008.

For more information please download a copy of our April 2008 Newsletter here

Published at the beginning of 2007 and coming into effect on the 6th April 2007 the guidance for the compliance with Part B of the regulations includes some significant changes. The first change you will notice is that the guidance is seperated into two volumes with Volume 1 dealing with dwellinghouses and Volume 2 dealing with all other buildings apart from dwellinghouses.

For a more detailed analysis request a copy of our April 2007 newsletter

STMC's Directors are pleased to confirm that Building Control Surveyor, Imran Aziz, has successfully completed the Association of Building Engineers' (ABE) Level 4 NVQ in Building Control.

Commenting that "...everyday at STMC is different", Imran deals with many different aspects and a variety of projects, ranging from small domestic extensions to multi-million pound mixed-use buildings.

For more detailed information on any of the above articles please see our latest newsletter. Please let us know if you would like to receive an email version of our newsletter by contacting manchester@stmc.co.uk