Building Control NEWS Issue 8 Issue8.pdf · 2009-11-03 · Cover picture: Paddington Basin, Building D in construction, Architects; The Kalyvides Partnership 3 JOTTINGS By John Jackson

Building ControlNEWS

www.rbkc.gov.uk/buildingcontrol Issue 8 - 2009

ContentsBelow: 266 Glossop Road, SheffieldPARTNERSHIPS

page 4

Below: BUILDING A THEATRE IN HOLLAND PARK

page 12

Cover picture: Paddington Basin, Building D in construction, Architects; The Kalyvides Partnership

3 JOTTINGS By John Jackson

4 PARTNERSHIPS By John Jackson

5 E-SERVICES By Jago Williams

6 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY By John Allen

6 THE EXPERT COLUMN - Party Walls By Jago Williams

7 JOHN JACKSON (1769-1845) By Paul Hanson

8 MEET THE TEAM New trainee Surveyors

9 CONSIDERATE CONSTRUCTORS By Jago Williams

10 SHOWCASE

12 BUILDING A THEATRE IN HOLLAND PARK By Michael Harth Operations Manager Holland Park Theatre Foreword by José Anon, Principal Building Control Surveyor 14 FUN AND GAMES

15 THE SPECIALISTS

16 CONTACTS

Building Control Department,The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, The Town Hall, Hornton street, London W8 7NXTel: 020 7361 3838 Fax: 020 7361 3820 email: [email protected] site: www.rbkc.gov.uk/buildingcontrolEditor: Paul HansonAssistants: Parry Kanwal and Jago Williams

If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this or future issues of Building Control NEWS, please write to:The Editor, Building Control NEWS by email, fax or letter

The opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily reflect Council policy

RBKC Building Control NEWS 3

JOTTINGS - John Jackson

The Department has been reorganised to provide a more focused service to our customers. Consequently as from 1st September we have moved from four to three area teams. These are:

Team Managed bySouth Area: Garry SharpCentral Area: José AnonNorth Area: Richard

Stanhope

In addition we have formed a Special Projects Team, managed by John Allen, focusing on Partnership Schemes, larger projects in the Borough with special responsibility for marketing.

Dave Gammon will continue to lead the Fire Regulations Team. Jago Williams will manage the Business Support Team with 2 new members, Afshan and Raj.

We have recently appointed three trainee surveyors, Celia, Colin and Kwame. One of our trainees Hilary Wyatt, has now been promoted to the position of Building Control Surveyor

and is responsible for an area that includes the Holland Ward.

Last year the Department was subject to an internal Council review and I am pleased to inform you that due largely to the excellent service Building Control provides and the high regard we are held by our customers, the service is to remain in-house. Recommendations were made and we will be working on these over this year.

I am pleased to announce that you can now make on-line submissions, with attached drawings, via our web site. We have also made available a facility to enable you to track your application on-line. By signing up you can view the status of your application and notes of our site inspections. A data search facility is also available, enabling you to search for any application made for any premise in the Royal Borough.

It is always nice to hear what users have to say on the service we provide and from a recently concluded customer

survey, 100% rated our service overall as good or very good with 100% stating that we made a positive contribution to the construction process. I hope you agree that RBKC provides one of the best building control services so, why not use us on your projects elsewhere in the country by signing up to the Partner Authority Scheme (see article on page 4). We are in the process of undertaking an Equality Impact Assessment further details of which can be found on page 6.

Although the building industry is going through a difficult period, we are maintaining our position as being the major provider of building control in the borough. With the improvements recently made and our continuing endeavours to provide you with the quality service you require, when required, I trust RBKC will remain your first choice when it comes to seeking a Building Control service. As always, I would be pleased to hear from any customer who wishes to discuss future projects.

John

Welcome to Issue 8 of Building Control News and I hope you find the contents interesting. First, some customer improvement news where we have been making great strides on the e-government front.

4 RBKC Building Control NEWS

RBKC Building Control is one of the best performing building control departments in London1 so why not use this first class service for projects elsewhere in England and Wales.

The LABC Partner Authority Scheme (PAS) helps you to operate in multiple locations and enjoy the benefits of having a one-to-one working relationship with RBKC for advice and plan appraisal.

We will help you through the pre-application stage using our knowledge and experience, giving you greater confidence in obtaining approval. You will also benefit from closer working relationships and consistency of approach. On receipt of the application, we will start the plan examination process, informing you of any matters that need to be resolved after which we notify the local authority of the recommended decision.

When construction begins, the Inspecting Authority will undertake the site inspections and issue the Completion Certificate.

Over 2500 companies have signed up to the PAS and currently we have 38 clients using our service under this scheme that includes developers, architectural and surveying practises, property consultants, and a national news organisation.

We believe that working closely with our clients is the way forward in meeting their aims whilst ensuring compliance with the regulations.

There are no costs involved in registering with this scheme so if you are interested in using RBKC then please telephone John Jackson on 020 7361 3822 or 07973 124088 or email him at [email protected] London District Surveyors Benchmarking Club

Images: Above: 266 Glossop Road, Sheffield. Architects - Project Orange.Photograph supplied by architects.

Left: Merchant square development, Carmine Building in construction – Architect Mossessian & Partners.Cover picture: Paddington Basin, Building D in construction, Architects; The Kalyvides Partnership.

Paddington Basin development building control in partnership with Perkins+Will

Paddington Basin photographs by Paul Hanson

PARTNERSHIPS


At Building Control we pride ourselves at being at the forefront of new technology and smart working. Our means of escape/fire regulations service utilizes 3D modelling and electronic plan marking. Over the past year Building Control has been developing new e-services that will help us deliver a new and improved service to our customers. www.rbkc.gov.uk/buildingcontrol

Online submissions and Application tracking

Customers can now submit an online application from our web site. Through online submissions customers are able to track the progress of their application, including accessing site notes and viewing documentation issued in relation to their application.

This new service will provide a unique advantage in using RBKC Building Control over other service providers.

Building Control data search

Accessing general information held by Building Control is now possible through BC Search, our new search engine facility available on our web site.

This means customers can access at a ‘click’ of the mouse information they would otherwise have to telephone or email the department.

Electronic plans

Customers can now submit plans and other documents electronically as part of an online submission or via email to [email protected]. This will greatly reduce the printing cost incurred throughout the life of a ‘traditional’ application.

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We wish to provide excellent services to all of our customers. As part of this we have been reviewing each aspect of the service we provide. This is to ensure that there is no discrimination, inequality or exclusion towards our customers to do with their race, gender, disability, age, religion/belief or sexual orientation.

We think there are two areas where we could do better.

1. To improve communication with non-English speaking builders.

2. To improve access within the Town Hall. We are interested in what you think. Is there something important that we have missed?

Please forward your thoughts to John Allen - email [email protected] or phone 020 7361 3802.

We receive many queries from residents and businesses regarding the Party Wall Act 1996.

The Act deals with building works which affect the land or buildings of an adjoining owner.

The process to resolve party wall issues is laid down in the legislation and does not fall under the jurisdiction of Local Authority Building Control.

Please see the explanatory booklet published at www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/partywall or access the Pyramus and Thisbe Club (an organisation which specialises in party wall matters) at:- www.partywalls.org.uk for information.

Picture: Pyramus and Thisbe by Paul Hanson

THE EXPERTS COLUMNIm

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EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Party Walls

Pyramus and Thisbe is the story of two lovers who occupy connected houses, forbidden by their parents to be wed.

Through a crack in one of the walls, they arrange to meet near a mulberry tree and state their feelings for each other.

A tragedy awaits them!


One of the most impressive monuments in Brompton cemetery is John Jackson’s tomb. ‘Gentleman’ Jackson (1769-1845) was a famous boxer in the Regency era of bare-knuckle fighting. He was the champion of England and is likely to have been one of Britain’s first sporting superstars.

Jackson was considered to be the preverbal ‘Vitruvian Man’ of perfect human proportions and was used as a model for artists and sculptors.

When Jackson fought Deniel Mandosa a noted Jewish boxer; he won mainly by holding his opponent by the hair in one hand and hitting him with the other. However this tactic was not considered to be against the rules at the time, although it may not be considered gentlemanly.

It was not just boxing at which he excelled, sprinting, standing jumps and feats of strength including lifting a half tonne weight from the ground. Not to forget his party trick of writing his name with a 841Ib weight hanging from his little finger.

Jackson was most famous for establishing a boxing academy, which was attended by those of nobility and fame including Lord Byron who wrote: ‘I have been sparring with Jackson for exercise this morning… my chest, and arms, and wind are in very good plight… at any rate exercise is good, and this is severest of all.’

Following Jackson’s death in 1845 a group of noblemen and gentlemen of his acquaintance

raised a subscription to build a monument for his grave in Brompton cemetery. This was sculpted by Thomas Butler.

The original inscription on the grave has suffered the ravages of time but is reproduced here.

JOHN JACKSON (1769-1845)WORDS Paul Hanson

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“Stay, traveller,” the Roman records said,To mark the classic dust beneath it laid;-

“Stay, traveller,” this brief memorial cries,And read the record with attentive eyes.

Hast thou a lion’s heart, a giant’s strength?Exalt not, for these gifts must yield at length.

Do health and symmetry adorn thy frame?The mouldering bones below possessed the same.

This man ne’er made a foe, ne’er lost a friend.

But death too soon dissolves all human ties,And, his last combat o’er, here Jackson lies.

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MEET THE TEAM - New Trainee Surveyors

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‘The most interesting part of this role I have found so far, is being able to experience the various ongoing projects that the Borough is dealing with and also to be able to individually carry out my own surveying jobs. This has allowed me to manage my own project and see the processes and work involved in order to complete this work from start to finish. It also allows me to put my existing knowledge into practice.’

RBKC Building Control views the recruitment of trainees as an excellent way to bring new surveyors through and increase the skill base within the department.

The trainees have been put through a challenging work programme which has involved work assignments within the means of escape/fire regulations team, north area surveying team and the south area surveying team.

The trainees are also continuing their professional development through further studies at university.Let’s catch up with our trainees and see how their apprenticeship has been going:

‘The cosmopolitan population and variety of properties within the borough makes this job very interesting. I have received on going support from the management team and senior building surveyors which have helped me build up my self confidence. RBKC has given me the opportunity to further my studies at university by sponsorship.’

‘I have especially enjoyed meeting the architects on site and discussing the work in progress. Their creative approaches to incorporating the Building Regulations is inspiring. At present I am working in the specialist Means of Escape in Case of Fire team, trying to come to grips with the Fire Dynamics Software. We use software packages which create visualisations showing the spread of smoke around buildings during a fire.’

The Department wishes our trainees well as they progress to become fully qualified building control surveyors.


The advantage of the scheme to the construction industry is that it projects an image of competent management, efficiency, awareness of local environmental issues and above all neighbourliness.

For our residents, it will be a welcome relief from what to some is a daily battering from construction sites where good neighbourliness is sadly lacking.

If you would like to know more about the scheme then please log onto:-

www.considerateconstructorsscheme.org.uk

And please, be considerate.

CONSIDERATE CONSTRUCTORSImage by Paul Hanson

Construction activity is a frequent cause of disturbance to our residents, with noise, dust, traffic disruption and rubbish being major causes of complaint to the Council.

Due to the buoyant local economy, building activity in the Royal Borough is high in comparison with other local authorities and consequently our residents suffer a disproportionate amount of disruption from construction. One way of reducing this level of disturbance is to engage builders in the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a national initiative set up by the construction industry, to improve its image, and is one of the industries success stories.

Registered sites are monitored by CCS inspectors against their code of practice with the best performing sites recognised at an annual national award ceremony.


LOCATION: Edwardes SquareDESIGNER: Two Work Limited; Bruce Cavell and Nicola SteerBUILDER: Work Ltd DESCRIPTION: The house was commissioned by clients for use as a family residence with integrated staff accommodation and an annexed wing. A double storey basement was built using secant piles and employing a top down building method. The basement area contains a plant area, including a geothermal ground source heat pump for renewable energy, used for under floor heating and the heating of the 50 ft long swimming pool.Above ground, the main living areas are built around a courtyard laid with Portland Stone,

The house was built using cavity brickwork, traditional joisted floors in the main house and concrete beams in the annex. Externally the house elevations were finished in brick with Portland Stone detailing with the forecourt laid with traditional cobblestones.

SHOWCASE


LOCATION: Pitt Street, London W8CONCEPT: Seth Stein Architects DETAILED DESIGN: Hill Spink and Weldon Walshe ArchitectsDESCRIPTION:A new-build contemporary house in Kensington developed by Spink Property. The building’s concept design was by Seth Stein Architects, while the detailed design was executed by Weldon Walshe Architects in conjunction with Hill Spink. The 1,100 sq m house has high ceilings and impressive lateral space. At the rear, floor-to-ceiling windows face south and look out over the gardens, which where designed by Christopher Bradley-Hole.spinkproperty.co.uk


After all the steelwork has been completed the actual canopy is delivered in three parts. The canopy is raised with the help of twelve crew.

At this point it becomes busy on site as five different contractors are starting their installation. This begins with the Mezzanine crew.

BUILDING A THEATRE IN HOLLAND PARKFor a number of years now the Council has run the annual event known as Opera Holland Park. The venue which hosts the opera season is an open air theatre which is erected and dismantled annually at the start and end of the season.

RBKC Building Control supervises the annual erection of the structure and ancillary works ensuring the foundations, superstructure and drainage are satisfactory. Michael Harth, the Operations Manager for Holland Park Theatre, who is responsible for planning and supervising the sequence of operations for the theatre, takes us through a typical production setup.

Opera Holland Park Theatre is built over an eight week period, starting with the delivery of the steelwork associated with the canopy.

A 40ft crane is needed to unload the five 40 ft trucks transporting the masts and associated equipment.

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The electrical contractor’s first task is to rig and fly the three lighting trusses above the auditorium to clear the access for the Seating Stand contractor. At the same time the Seating Stand contractor begins building the frame supporting the seating. The seating is completed in two weeks. At the same time the in-house crew start to build the stage of approx. 17m wide and 9m deep.

There are many kilometres of cable for all different purposes being put into Holland Park Theatre each season and removed afterwards.It takes six electricians to “power-up” the site and install all the sound and lighting equipment and connect the infrastructure to mains.

Once the canopy, stage, seating and the electrical installations have been completed, the scenic element of the theatre starts. Once all of the heavy machinery has left the site the orchestra pit can be installed.

Now the entire infrastructure has been completed, we request an inspection by the Building Control surveyor, this has been in the last few years by

José Anon – Principal Building Control Surveyor. An in-depth inspection of all the installations takes place as well as feedback on any problems that we may have encountered during the build. Usually this inspection is satisfactory and for us it means a further professional body has given us the go ahead.

During a typical season, Opera Holland Park will produce six Operas – two running in repertory for approx. three weeks. The sets are turned around almost daily, even during rehearsal periods. One set is stored in the ‘wings’, the arches of Holland House, hidden behind temporary flats. The next day the active set is taken down, stored in the opposite wing and the other set is taken out and assembled. On an average day, this has to be completed by 18:00. At this point, the theatre will have already been opened to the public.

Curtain up is at 19:30 and the typical opera ends between 22:00 and 22:30.

The above will repeat itself twice more, with the second and third pairs of Operas.


FUN and GAMES Home Improvements1 2 3

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EclipseCrossword.com

The answers to all the puzzles on this page appear on our web site: www.rbkc.gov.uk/Planning/buildingcontrol

Across

2. Prevents heat loss through glass (6, 7)4. Extra space in roof (4, 10)5. Covered by Part P (9)

10. A new wash area (8)11. External storage facility (4)14. Non structural changes (12)15. Acceptable with a fire/smoke curtain but

not sprinklers only (4, 4)16. A new cooking area (7)17. Vehicle storage area (6)18. Reduces heat loss (10)

Down

1. Renewable energy on roof (10)3. External organic work exempt from the

Building Regulations (11)6. Glass enclosed area only for attending

plants (12)7. Heating the Romans invented (7,7)8. Be careful not to burn the toast (5, 5)9. Subterranean space (8)

12. Extra new space on side of building (9)13. Could save house contents from fire (10)

Structure ● John Jackson020 7361 [email protected]

Fire safety ● Dave [email protected] 020 7361 3816● Paul Hanson0207-361-3819 [email protected]

Site preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture● Alan de [email protected]

Resistance to the passage of sound● John Allen020 7361 [email protected]

Ventilation● Garry Sharp020 7361 [email protected]

Hygiene● Richard Beddoe020 7361 [email protected]● Michael Winn020 7361 [email protected]

Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems● José Anon020 7361 [email protected]

Protection from falling collision and impact ● José Anon020 7361 [email protected]

Conservation of fuel and power● John Allen020 7361 [email protected]

Access to and Use of Buildings● Richard Stanhope020 7361 [email protected]● John Jackson020 7361 [email protected]

Glazing ● José Anon020 7361 [email protected]

THE SPECIALISTS

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Electrical safety ● Garry Sharp020 7361 [email protected]

Drainage and waste disposal● Richard Beddoe020 7361 [email protected]● Michael Winn020 7361 [email protected]

Regulations ● John Jackson020 7361 [email protected]

Regs

BUILDING CONTROLGeneral Enquiries 020-7361-3838

Building Control Department,The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, The Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NXTel: 020 7361 3838 Fax: 020 7361 3820 email: [email protected]

Dangerous Structure out of hours (after 5:00pm) 020-7937-5464

PLANNING General Information 020-7361-3012Listed Buildings 020-7361-3352Arboriculture 020-7361-2767Disabled Access to Buildings 020-7361-3382

HIGHWAYS General Information 020-7341-5263Sewer Connections / Blockages 020-7341-5217Street Lighting 020-7341-5258Defective Roads and Walkways 020-7341-5746Permits (Scaffolding /Hoardings) 020-7361-4385Skip Licences / Parking 020-7361-4385

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH General Information 020-7361-3002Waste management 020-7361-3001Licensing and Entertainment 020-7341-5152Noise Nuisance 020-7361-3002

OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS Health and Safety Executive 020-7556-2100Thames Water 0845-9200-888English Heritage 020-7973-3000Westminster 020-7641-6000Hammersmith and Fulham 020-8748-3020

CONTACTS

Documents

Building Control NEWS Issue 8 Issue8.pdf · 2009-11-03 · Cover picture: Paddington Basin, Building D in construction, Architects; The Kalyvides Partnership 3 JOTTINGS By John Jackson