New Projects Update

Recent New Projects 

It’s been busy at Keenan CDM recently and so posting on new projects has again been missed since summer, so here’s a roundup of some recent commissions:

  • Residential New Build of 140 Houses at Longniddry, East Lothian for Places for People (as CDM Consultant)
  • Hotel Extension in Kirkcaldy for Grande Construction (as Principal Designer)
  • Residential New Build of 100+ Houses in Rosyth, Fife for J Smart & Co (as Principal  Designer)
  • Residential Cladding Replacement Works at various buildings in Edinburgh for Hillcrest Homes (as Principal Designer)
  • Residential New Build of 145 Flats at Granton, Edinburgh for Places for People (as CDM Consultant)
  • Farmhouse Holiday Refurbishment in Ardgay, Sutherland for Gledfield Estate (as Principal Designer)

Further details on some of these will be posted in the next month or so.

Scottish Building Regulations – Compliance and Enforcement Consultation

New consultation open on Scottish Building Standards compliance and enforcement…

The Scottish Building Regulations – Compliance and Enforcement Consultation is now open for views on the development of a new ‘Compliance Plan Manager‘ role in the Scottish building standards system. The ‘Compliance Plan Manager‘ role will apply to all ‘in scope’ high risk building types and the definition of high risk buildings in Scotland is also part of the consultation.

The Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division is now seeking to define and implement an appropriate and robust assurance regime to demonstrate that the duty imposed on the ‘relevant person’ responsible for certifying compliance with building regulations is being managed at both design and construction stages. The proposed compliance plan manager role is intended to provide continuity of management from start to finish.

It is proposed that the ‘Compliance Plan Manager’ will be appointed by the building owner at the design stage on all defined high risk buildings. This individual will provide a primary point of contact for the verifier, develop and manage the compliance plan, ensure all inspections are facilitated and the compliance plan is fully discharged to support the competent submission of the completion certificate to the verifier.

Read more on Scottish Construction Now.

NB: The above is a Scottish Building Regulations specific consultation and the reader should be aware that the new UK Building Safety Bill legislation  will not apply in Scotland, nor will the HSE be Building Safety Regulator in Scotland. 

Acclaim (SSIP) Health & Safety Accreditation Renewed

Keenan CDM Acclaim Accreditation for Principal Designer 2021-2022I’m pleased to again confirm that the independent Acclaim (SSIP) Health & Safety Accreditation annual renewal certificate for the Keenan CDM Principal Designer service has been received, now for the 4th year (Reg 00388256).

This is achieved via independent assessment annually and enables Keenan CDM to demonstrate compliance with health and safety legislation – in this instance, compliance with the CDM Regulations for the provision of Principal Designer services.

Once again this demonstrates the Keenan CDM commitment to providing a comprehensive service via documented processes in line with the CDM Regulations requirements, in addition to the extensive CPD training undertaken annually.

Fire Safety Concern Over Green Walls

CROSS Safety Report - Green Walls Fire RiskA recent CROSS Safety Report discusses how building close down procedures that include isolating automated water systems might result in the drying out of green walls, thus presenting a significant fire hazard in external walls.  If the vegetation is allowed to dry out, it may become a fuel for fire.

This risk could also arise through a faulty system or poorly maintained system, resulting in the same drying out of green walls.

It is probably not currently on people’s radar that irrigation may fall under the same category as sprinklers or fire alarms, so fire strategies and fire risk assessments need to reflect its importance.

Read the report in full here on the Cross Safety website.