The NHBC Foundation’s latest report, Hazardous ground gas – an essential guide for housebuilders, is available to download now. Compiled by experts in the field, this comprehensive report offers guidance and insight for housebuilders covering everything from what constitutes a hazardous ground gas, initial investigations and assessment of ground gas to gas protective measures. EPG’s Steve Wilson and Amy Juden contributed to the guide along with colleagues from Buro Happold, and the guidance will help housebuilders to:
- recognise high risk sites and the appropriate action to take
- avoid unnecessary gas protection on low/minimal risk sites
- appoint appropriate competent professionals at the right stage
- complete the process of assessment, design, implementation and verification
- and implement monitoring strategies suitable for the size, complexity and gas risk of sites.
The report guidance also addresses the current gap between the conclusions and recommendations of ground investigation reports and the structural design of buildings where gas protection measures are not always included.
Hugh Mallett, Director, Ground Engineering, Buro Happold said,
“This new NHBC guide on hazardous ground gas will help housebuilders and their advisors to better assess and manage gas risk and ensure the efficient building of new homes. Buro Happold, EPG and NHBC have worked hard to ensure the guide delivers current good practice and that the advice is practical and relevant to all housebuilders. Following the six-stage process and recognising the importance of competence at each stage will help housebuilders get it right first time and avoid potential pitfalls, saving time and money, whilst delivering homes safe from the potential risks of hazardous ground gas.”
“Adoption of the good practice procedures described in this report will lead to better quality practice, cost savings and a greater understanding of specific issues around detailing, construction and verification,” commented Richard Smith, Head of Standards, Research & Technical Competency at NHBC Foundation. “Early consideration of the risks of hazardous ground gas is essential for all developments and we are pleased to be able to guide housebuilders through this potentially complex process.”
Amy Juden, Associate at EPG added
“We are delighted to see this report published, and the guidance out there to enhance best practice in the industry. We’re looking forward to continuing to work alongside colleagues to increase awareness of these important and complex issues, and use our expertise to help mitigate against risks.”
Written specifically for housebuilders wanting to get up to date and widen their knowledge on this important subject, Hazardous ground gas – an essential guide for housebuilders is available to download here.
We are delighted to share the recently published CIRIA guidance, detailing the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and how they can be utilised in order to reduce phosphorus in surface water runoff. Finding effective ways to reduce phosphorus is important in improving quality of our water, and limiting the damaging impacts on local ecology. Over 100,000 homes are now being delayed across 74 local authorities as a direct result of potential excess nutrient pollution, of which phosphorus is a key contributor.
This document is co-authored by Phil Williams and Karolina Stachyra of the Environmental Protection Group, and provides good practice guidance on the use of SuDS for the reduction of phosphorus in runoff from new development to help developments become nutrient neutral. It sets out the necessary SuDS, deployed in ‘treatment trains’ to achieve phosphorus removal, particularly for sensitive receiving waters and nationally important nature conservation sites. It represents good practice surface water management through the use of SuDS and can be applied anywhere.
We are delighted to see the news that the government has accepted a review to implement Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which will mandate sustainable drainage (SuDS) in new developments.
The review recommends that the government must act and implement Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 as written, with the unitary authority or, if there is not one for the area, then the county council as approving bodies.
This follows the letter sent to Rishi Sunak encouraging him to implement schedule three of the 2012 Flood and Water Management Act as a matter of urgency. Phil Williams, who heads up EPG, was pleased to be one of the forty signatories on the letter, alongside other leading figures from engineering and environmental groups.
The review recommends implementation subject to final decisions on scope, threshold and process once a full regulatory impact assessment has been completed. The assessment will look at different options and the expected costs and benefits. This will ensure a consistent and more effective approach in using SuDS to help address the impacts of climate change, urbanisation and increasing population while achieving multiple benefits such as reducing surface water flood risk, improving water quality, and harvesting rainwater to meet current and future needs.
However, these benefits can only be realised if SuDS are designed, constructed, adopted, and maintained to national standards for the lifetime of the development.
Implementing Schedule 3 will guarantee this is achieved. The review recommends that successful implementation of Schedule 3 will require professionals with the skills and knowledge to design, construct, assess and maintain SuDS. It also recommends that actions are developed to ensure there is sufficient access to the right skills and capabilities to deliver and maintain SuDS
Defra will carry out a consultation in order to collect views on the impact assessment, national standards and statutory instruments in 2023.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainable-drainage-systems-review
The Environmental Protection Group (EPG) is delighted to have walked away with first prize in the SuDS Awards 2022, winning the ‘Regeneration and Retrofit – Small Scale’ category for their work at Bloc, Manchester.
Delivered alongside other businesses within STRI Group, STRI Ltd on design and Carrick Sports Construction on the install, EPG utilised Polypipe’s Polysync and Permavoid systems to retrofit a smart blue-green roof on to the office building owned by Bruntwood Works in Manchester.
This outstanding retrofit SuDS project is a fantastic demonstration of how we can capture and reuse surface water to enhance biodiversity, effectively manage storm water and mitigate some effects of climate change, whilst also adding natural beauty to an urban cityscape.
The project proved that smart attenuation tanks can be effective in significantly reducing discharge, as well as showcasing how to retrofit a blue roof onto an existing roof despite major weight constraints.
Polypipe’s Polysync system acts as a forecasting hub to hold and release water from the Permavoid tanks underneath the wildflower roof, combining the rainwater harvesting tank and the attenuation tank. The smart tank holds water for rainwater harvesting (more than a traditional harvesting system) and makes decisions on whether to discharge based on the incoming weather. The roof then discharges ahead of heavy rainfall, as well as not discharging during the storm event itself when the sewer is at capacity, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing flood risk.
In addition to effective water management and sustainability, the roof also introduced a more diverse ecosystem, from the wildflower roof and the pollinators that it attracts. This wildflower roof also positively impacts the insulation, keeping the building cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
EPG and STRI Group are thrilled to have been recognised by this award and would like to extend their thanks and congratulations to all involved.
The Environmental Protection Group (EPG) is delighted to have walked away with first prize in the SuDS Awards 2022, winning the ‘Regeneration and Retrofit – Small Scale’ category for their work at Bloc, Manchester.
Delivered alongside other businesses within STRI Group, STRI Ltd on design and Carrick Sports Construction on the install, EPG utilised Polypipe’s Polysync and Permavoid systems to retrofit a smart blue-green roof on to the office building owned by Bruntwood Works in Manchester.
This outstanding retrofit SuDS project is a fantastic demonstration of how we can capture and reuse surface water to enhance biodiversity, effectively manage storm water and mitigate some effects of climate change, whilst also adding natural beauty to an urban cityscape.
The project proved that smart attenuation tanks can be effective in significantly reducing discharge, as well as showcasing how to retrofit a blue roof onto an existing roof despite major weight constraints.
Polypipe’s Polysync system acts as a forecasting hub to hold and release water from the Permavoid tanks underneath the wildflower roof, combining the rainwater harvesting tank and the attenuation tank. The smart tank holds water for rainwater harvesting (more than a traditional harvesting system) and makes decisions on whether to discharge based on the incoming weather. The roof then discharges ahead of heavy rainfall, as well as not discharging during the storm event itself when the sewer is at capacity, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing flood risk.
In addition to effective water management and sustainability, the roof also introduced a more diverse ecosystem, from the wildflower roof and the pollinators that it attracts. This wildflower roof also positively impacts the insulation, keeping the building cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
EPG and STRI Group are thrilled to have been recognised by this award and would like to extend their thanks and congratulations to all involved.
