More news – Page 2426
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Comment
Whistling in the dark
Further to your recent “whistleblower” item (13 November, page 15), it seems the proposed action by Balfour Beatty ex-employees is driven by an assumption of continuing unemployment with a commensurate loss of prospective earnings
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Comment
Arbitrary distinctions
I read John Redmond’s piece about arbitration with a wry smile (27 November, page 51)
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CommentInformation overload: The bumf tax
Tenderers are forced to wade through a shedload of information for the odd relevant detail, costing them a fortune. A few trips to the county court might put an end to the practice
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CommentDon’t get your suspenders in a twist
The Construction Act says it is lawful to down tools if you haven’t been paid what you’re owed. But what happens if you get it wrong and the money isn’t owed?
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Comment
Blowing their cover
At last, the details of the infringements that sparked the OFT inquiry into bid rigging are exposed for all to see. Those of a nervous disposition should look away now
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Comment
Cometh the hour: Nick Raynsford welcomes Paul Morrell
If anyone can pull off the new role of chief construction adviser, it’s Paul Morrell, says Nick Raynsford. But we need to give him time before we can reasonably expect to see results
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FeaturesThree wiser men: Did Building’s business advice work?
In April this year, Building gathered together three people who were running companies suffering from late payments and dwindling order books. We asked a panel of business experts to offer them advice on surviving the months ahead, including how to win work and maintain cash flow. Since then our three ...
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Comment
Timber frame inspections: Everything you need for a fire
Timber-frame sites are sustainable, technologically sophisticated and accidents waiting impatiently to happen, says Paul Hymers. And he should know – he has to inspect them
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FeaturesCarbon capture and storage: How we blew it
Carbon capture and storage was supposed to be an area where British expertise could thrive. But, says Olivia Boyd, lack of clarity on the government’s plans and how it intends to fund them is squandering UK talent
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FeaturesThe new arrival: Balfour Beatty’s Birmingham PFI hospital
Weighing in at £585m, Balfour Beatty’s Birmingham PFI hospital was expected to be a difficult birth. Instead, it has been delivered with few complications, no trips to casualty, and ahead of its due date. Thomas Lane hands round the cigars
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FeaturesInn recovery: The hotels market
With the pound weak and tourism strong, the UK hotels market is set for a resurgence in 2010. Emily Wright finds out how you can book yourself in
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Features
The tracker: Feeling gloomy
Bad weather, falling activity indices and sharp declines in north-west England and the East Midlands marked October down as a month to forget. Experian Business Strategies reports
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FeaturesOpen-plan flats: Opening up
There’s pent-up demand for open-plan flats, but fire safety rules make it difficult for them to get approval. Giving designers a set of templates to follow that include sprinklers and enhanced detection systems could be the answer
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FeaturesPrefabricated straw bale panels
ModCell prefabricated straw bale and hemp panels are as fire-safe as conventional materials, according to research carried out at the University of Bath
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Features
Low-energy ventilation
Vent-Axia has launched the Low Carbon Centra, a domestic extract fan which has the lowest specific fan power on SAP appendix Q, the list that means a product’s energy performance can be taken into account when carrying out the SAP assessment
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Features
Roof insulation
Rockwool, manufacturers of non-combustible stone wool insulation, has developed a bespoke insulation system for the refurbishment of the grade II-listed Barbican Estate in London’s Square Mile
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FeaturesHighly insulated roofs
A new dual-insulation roof system from Kalzip has been used on the CO2Zero-LiveWork building in Bristol which is the first live/work scheme to be certified to level five of the Code for Sustainable Homes
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Features
Fire-retardant paints
Dulux Trade has launched an extension to its Pyroshield flame-retardant range, which protects walls and ceilings and minimises flame spread in a fire