Stroma Building Control Achieves Milestone in Technical Team Competence

15 Jul, 2024

We are thrilled to share an important milestone in our commitment to excellence at Stroma Building Control. Over the past 12 months, we have dedicated substantial resources to support, train, and certify our technical team. As a result, we are proud to announce that 85% of our technical team have now registered as Registered Building Inspectors and/or attained their competence qualifications.

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The Risks of Delaying Passive Fire Protection Design Until Construction Phase

06 Jun, 2024

In the construction industry, different aspects of a project are often managed separately, each progressing at its own pace. Imagine the four primary construction packages as distinct silos: 1. Structural 2. Architectural 3. Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) 4. Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Unfortunately, passive fire protection is frequently neglected during the early design phases until decisions in the other three silos have already been made and implemented. This can result in significant issues, as choices made in these early stages can create obstacles for effective fire protection later on.

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Common Myths About Building Inspections Debunked

03 Jun, 2024

Building inspections are a critical component of ensuring that construction projects comply with UK building regulations. Despite their importance, several myths and misconceptions surround the process. These myths can lead to misunderstandings, non-compliance, and even legal issues. In this article, we will debunk some of the most common myths about building inspections.

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New Legislation Introduced to Regulate Single-Sex and Universal Toilets

10 May, 2024

The government is set to introduce new regulations for single-sex toilet facilities in non-domestic buildings, addressing concerns related to safety, privacy, and dignity. This new law is a response to a recent consultation, where 81% of respondents supported the intention to maintain separate single-sex toilets, and 82% supported offering universal toilets when space permits. Universal toilets are private, fully enclosed rooms with a toilet and a washbasin for individual use.

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Important Update - Transition to Registered Building Control Approvers

07 May, 2024

In line with the Building Safety Act 2022, a significant shift has occurred in the industry of building control. Effective April 6, 2024, Approved Inspectors have been replaced by registered Building Control Approvers (BCAs). This transition marks the most significant change in building control since the enactment of the Building Act of 1984.

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Successful RBCA Application

08 Apr, 2024

Stroma Building Control is extremely pleased to share that we have received confirmation of our approval to work as a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA).

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Stay Informed on the 2022 Changes to Approved Document F

08 Mar, 2024

Introduction: The Building Regulations Part F, focusing on ventilation, has undergone significant changes in 2022. Established in 2010, this document faced challenges over the years due to identified issues and concerns regarding non-compliance with guidance requirements. Recent guidance from Public Health England on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indoors and World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations necessitated updates, rendering the existing Part F outdated.

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Understanding the Challenges of Building Near Trees

25 Feb, 2024

The Problem: Building near trees can be advantageous for various reasons, such as increased property value and natural shade. However, it introduces unique challenges, particularly regarding soil stability. Two critical factors come into play: soil with shrink/swell potential and the presence of trees within a certain proximity to the building. Soil Conditions: For soil to be affected, it must have shrink/swell potential. Pure gravels or sands are less susceptible, but proximity to large trees can still pose risks. The foundation of a house relies on the soil, and if it undergoes volume changes, it can destabilise the building.

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Principal Designers Role in Building Safety Compliance

07 Feb, 2024

This technical report delves into the implications of the Building Safety Act, focusing on the necessity for architects to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations. In alignment with Dame Judith Hackitt's recommendations post the Grenfell Tower tragedy, a paradigm shift is observed, necessitating architects to adopt a proactive approach towards safety through the application of 'safety cases' and fostering a culture of accountability introduced by the Building Safety Regulator.

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Implementation of Building Safety Act 2022 and Secondary Legislation: Building Control Provider's Perspective

08 Jan, 2024

The Building Safety Act 2022 has significantly influenced the landscape of building regulations, particularly with the introduction of secondary legislation effective from October 1, 2023. Originating from the recommendations following the Grenfell Tower fire by Dame Judith Hackitt in 2018, these new regulations aim to establish clear accountability and enhance the overall safety of buildings.

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Navigating Liability: New Protocols Under the Building Safety Act

15 Dec, 2023

The recently enacted Building Safety Act has brought forth significant changes, particularly in the realm of liability and accountability for construction projects. A notable shift is the requirement for clients to issue a notice of practical completion to the building control body (BCB) before finalising the works with a completion/final certificate. This is particularly pertinent for projects falling outside the Higher-Risk Buildings process, where additional responsibilities come into play.

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Flat Roofs - The Fifth Façade

08 Dec, 2023

Modern building design has witnessed a significant expansion in the role of roofs. Flat roofs now accommodate not only plant and HVAC equipment but also house renewable energy infrastructure, social spaces, and more. This evolution occurs amidst a backdrop of consistent roof fire rates, drawing increased attention to the risks associated with combustible building materials post the Grenfell Tower fire.

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Decoding Building Regulations: A Comprehensive Analysis of the October 2023 Amendments

29 Nov, 2023

As of October 1, the Building (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 have come into force, ushering in a new era of regulatory clarity under the ambit of the Building Safety Act 2022. This regulatory overhaul impacts a spectrum of projects, spanning from domestic house extensions to higher-risk buildings (HRBs), necessitating the appointment of two principal duty holders: the Principal Designer and the Principal Contractor.

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The Powerhouse For Building Control

02 Oct, 2023

We are very pleased to announce, as of today, Monday 2nd October 2023, Stroma Building Control and JHAI have merged to become the largest private approved inspector in England & Wales. Having both been part of Phenna Group for over a year, our teams have dedicated significant time to planning how we take the business forward in the best interests of our clients.

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Using technology to transform the role of a Building Control Surveyor

09 Feb, 2023
Employee Spotlight
Careers

Kayleigh Wardle-Tubb joined Stroma Building Control in 2018 as an Assistant Building Control Inspector for our team based in Watford. Since joining, Kayleigh has become Chartered with the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) through Stroma’s Training Academy and has been promoted to a Building Control Inspector.

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Stuart Hammond Career Focus

21 Sep, 2021
Employee Spotlight
Careers
Company News

We caught up with Stuart Hammond six months after joining the company as one of our Principal Building Control Inspectors for our south-east region.

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Thanks to Our Support Teams: Hear About Their Career Success Stories

19 Apr, 2021
Careers
Company News

We're celebrating our support teams' success and career development across Stroma Building Control, including their promotions, education and training, and career changes through Stroma's Training Academy. Our teams across the country provide invaluable support to our network of inspectors working on-site and guide our clients through every stage of their project to provide a proactive and efficient Building Control service.

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Kevin Lynch achieves CABE Chartership

02 Mar, 2021
Employee Spotlight
Careers

Stroma Building Control’s, Kevin Lynch, who works as a Building Control Surveyor has recently achieved CABE Chartership. In celebration of his achievement, we spoke to him about what the chartership meant to him, how it will benefit Stroma and what he’s looking forward to in the coming year.

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Karl Guest: My Career Journey into Building Control

19 Feb, 2021
Employee Spotlight

Our latest edition in CABE featured Karl Guest and focused on his career journey into Building Control. We caught up with him to discuss his new role within Stroma Building Control and his future plans as Technical Manager for the division. Here’s what he had to say.

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