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CIC Cascade29 October 2004
1. CIC Liability Alert ‘Asbestos-related claims and professional indemnity insurance’ CIC ’s Liability Panel has issued a new Liability Alert. This looks at the very restricted indemnity insurance cover that can be obtained by consultants for asbestos-related claims in the current-market. Asbestos-related risks are now excluded from virtually all professional indemnity (PI) insurance policies. It may be possible for some consultants to buy back some cover (limited both in amount and the risks covered) but it is likely to be expensive. This is due in part to the hard insurance market which has seen insurers limiting PI cover generally. Insurers are though particularly shy of asbestos related claims because of the extraordinary level of personal injury claims – past, present and expected in the future – arising out of the presence of asbestos (primarily in the United States, but elsewhere too). This has led to reinsurers refusing to cover such risks. With no reinsurance behind them, primary insurers can only offer limited cover. This will affect all consultants, not just those expressly engaged to undertake asbestos inspections, surveys or reviews (under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, which came into force in May 2004, for example); any consultant may come across problems with asbestos in the course of their work. 2. ‘Building Visions’ clips online You can now view clips from CIC ’s industry sponsored video ‘Building Visions’ online. These highlight some of the creative and inspiring career opportunities in the construction professions. The following clips are taken from our video Building Visions, which highlights just a few of the creative and inspiring career opportunities in the construction professions. In the video young professionals tell us about their projects and explain how they shape our surroundings to fit our lifestyles. We meet an architect, building services engineer, quantity surveyor, civil engineer, structural engineer, and planner. We enter their design offices, and visit construction sites and completed buildings. We learn how they work as part of a team; why they chose their careers, what they studied, and why they enjoy their work. The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) is to undertake a three-year project designed to develop technology to recover up to 40% of the low grade heat from waste water and use it to reduce energy consumption in domestic dwellings and commercial installations. The project has obtained European funding through the help of Pera Innovation. The opportunity to recover heat energy from waste water will provide the plumbing sector with a new technology and a value added product that will create new and additional markets both in installation and maintenance across Europe . With support from a number of partners in Europe it is proposed to develop a low cost, low grade heat exchanger to recover heat from domestic and commercial waste water. Project partners from Poland , Norway , Germany , Ireland , Hungary , Spain ands the UK took part in the first group meeting at the IPHE on 29 September. Kevin Wellman, Operations Director, made the following comment “Everyone is so enthusiastic about working together on this very exciting and important project. I think we all have lots of expertise to offer and feel confident that we will succeed.” If you are interested in learning more about this project or might wish to be involved in some way please email Kevin Wellman at Kevin@iphe.org.uk 4. Strategic Forum Logistics Group The Strategic Forum for Construction (SFfC) has set up a Task Group to look at how construction logistics can be improved and good practice promoted to industry. The Group, which met for the first time earlier this month, is being chaired by Mike Eberlin, Commercial Director at Castle Cement and hosted by the Construction Products Association. The membership includes representatives from across the construction industry with a breadth of experience of logistics in construction and other industries. Commenting on the establishment of the Group, SFfC Chairman Peter Rogers said: ‘Construction is a complicated process and paying proper attention to logistics will deliver real benefits in terms of reduced cost, increased speed, less waste, and a safer working environment. This is just the kind of issue where the Forum should be taking a lead in helping the whole industry to understand how we can do things better.’ Mike Eberlin said: ‘I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm and experience of the Group. There is a real determination to develop an Action Plan which identifies what different parts of the construction industry need to do to improve logistics and realise the significant benefits that this would deliver.’ The Group will focus on the way design can improve logistics, transport of construction products, stockholding and more efficient use of on-site labour. The Group will be reporting to the Strategic Forum in the spring of next year. For more information contact the SFfC at bfidler@strategicforum.org.uk 5. Joint Construction Industry Group issues Construction Insurance Newsletter The Joint Construction Insurance Group (JCIG) which was established under the auspices of the Strategic Forum for Construction has produced the first of what will be an occasional newsletter on construction and insurance related issues. The group’s objective is to foster better understanding between
the Construction industry and the Insurance Sector. The newsletter
contains information that will prove to be of interest to both groups
and can be downloaded
here 6. Graham Watts to speak at Tenth Adjudication Update Seminar CIC ’s Chief Executive, Graham Watts will be speaking at Fenwick Elliott’s Tenth Adjudication Update Seminar in London on 8 November The event takes place from 4 – 6pm at The Savoy, London . This will be chaired by senior partner Simon Tolson and will focus on the likely changes to the Housing Grants Act legislation following the ongoing Latham Review. The talks will provide a comprehensive review of recent developments in the adjudication process, as well as giving some practical tips and advice on preparing for, bringing and defending adjudications. The cost is £50 plus VAT. For further details contact Lisa Somers at Fenwick Elliott LLP, tel 020 7956 9354 or email lsomers@fenwickelliott.co.uk 7. CIBSE conference goes global on website The 2004 Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) National Conference on delivering sustainable construction is now available as a webcast on the CIBSE website The event took place in London at the end of September and was attended by over 400 engineers and construction specialists. The webcast includes all the main conference sessions and has video, audio and slide presentations in an easy-to-use format. For CIBSE members who could not attend the event, viewing the webcast can be included in their CPD (Continuous Professional Development) programme. The webcasting of the event and the production of this CPD facility have been made possible by the sponsorship of Barbour Index. The conference was opened by CIBSE President, Graham Manly, with a call for more integration in the construction team. The keynote address by Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government summarised the growing evidence on climate change and the importance of improving energy efficiency in buildings to reduce carbon emissions. One highlight of the event was a well-attended Young Engineers session which provided career advice and a guide to the conference. There was also the opportunity for delegates on the final afternoon to give their input into CIBSE's response in October to the ODPM's consultation document on revisions to Building Regulations Part L. Technical papers included: the use of phase change materials for cooling and heating; ground source heat pumps; and a case study on Heathrow Terminal 5's district cooling system. Over 80 speakers covered virtually every area of sustainable construction. There were sessions on: the commercial/contractual arrangements necessary to deliver it; the role of education and training to ensure the supply of a competent workforce; smart design and the construction process with case studies of specific projects; and building operation and performance, covered in two sessions. The three main sponsors of the event were Carbon Trust, HVCA and ECA. View the webcast 8. ICES offers membership to RICS members The Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) is offering qualified members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) within the Construction and Geomatics Faculties the opportunity to join the ICES membership. The aim of this promotion is to call upon all surveyors in these two faculties to recognise the importance of unification of the profession. ICES is a specialist professional body which has members’ interests as surveyors at its heart. It provides a clearer identity for construction and geomatics surveyors. An application procedure for membership has been established by the ICES council. Those interested should contact the membership hotline 0161 972 3100 or email icesoffer@ices.org.uk for more information. This offer ends on 31 December 2004 . The events page of the CIC website is frequently updated visit the events page for details. |
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