What Is Sui Generis Planning? Sui generis, a Latin term meaning “of its own kind,” is a label used to classify buildings that do not fit into any specific use class for planning permission purposes. The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 defines various use classes, and it states that if a land […]
What Does License To Alter Mean In Construction? A license to alter is a legally binding document that grants permission for a tenant (leaseholder) to make changes to the structure of premises they occupy under a leasehold agreement. This document provides protection for both parties, as it confirms that the tenant has complied with the […]
What Is Rolled Steel Joist (RSJ) Beam? A rolled steel joist (RSJ) is a common type of beam used for structural steelwork. It is also known as an ‘I-beam’ or ‘H-beam’ and comes in a variety of standard sizes. RSJs are usually made from mild steel but can also be formed from aluminium or other […]
What Is Beam And Block Floor Construction? Beam and block floor construction is a technique used to create a suspended concrete flooring system at the ground or upper floor level. It consists of pre-stressed concrete beams, typically 130-250mm deep, which are fitted with 100mm deep building blocks placed between them. The blocks can be made […]
What Does MEP Mean In Construction? MEP refers to the specialized field of planning, designing, and managing the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of a building. MEP systems are the central nervous system of a building, responsible for ensuring its livability and creature comfort. These systems are critical to making a building a pleasant place […]
What Is Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) Piling? Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles are a type of bored cast-in-place replacement pile. They are constructed by rotating a hollow stem continuous flight auger into the soil to a designed depth. Concrete or grout is pumped through the hollow stem, maintaining static head pressure. Compared to bored piles, […]
What Is The Difference Between Ceiling Coving And Cornice? Cornice and coving are terms used to describe different types of molding used to conceal the join between the wall and ceiling. Coving is a type of cornice that is uniform in profile, typically projecting across the ceiling by 100mm and dropping down the wall by […]
What Does Hoisting Mean In Construction? Hoisting is the act of raising, lowering, or otherwise moving a load in the air with equipment covered by this standard. Hoists are machines specifically designed to raise and lower loads that are too heavy for manpower alone. They have a drum or wheel around which wraps either a […]
What Is Metal Profile Cladding? Metal profile cladding is a form of external cladding made from metal profile sheets, which are commonly used for agricultural, industrial, retail, and leisure buildings. Metal profile sheets can be installed vertically, horizontally, or diagonally and are capable of being applied to curved facades and other complex shapes. Metal profile […]
What Is Desk Study In Site Investigation? A desk study is part of a geotechnical site investigation and involves the study and review of existing information about a site through resources such as maps, paper records, geological maps, old plans, photographs, and datasets. It is carried out at an early stage of site appraisal to […]