The event was well attended by architects, agents, consultants, national house builders and representatives of Clackmannanshire Disability Access Panel.
The purpose of the Forum Group is to help the Building Standards Team provide services to meet the needs of its many and varied customers. It is also used as an opportunity to update attendees on recent service developments, future service enhancements, legislative changes and ask customers how services could be improved. During the meeting the Group were given a demonstration of the recently purchased thermal imaging camera. The Building Standards Team will use the camera during site inspections to help identify a number of construction defects such as missing or wrongly fitted thermal insulation, and missing or faulty draught stripping around windows and doors. It is hoped that the use of the camera will help promote good building practice, further the aims of sustainable development and the conservation of fuel and power. This will in turn lead to lower heating bills and warmer buildings.
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Topics discussed at the meeting included the recently issued Scottish Building Standards Agency Advice Notes on sun rooms and access within houses. The Group members were also asked for their comments on additional, more detailed guidance designed by the Building Standards Team covering sun rooms, access within houses and patio doors. If this additional guidance is seen as being useful by the Group it is intended that further guidance will be produced by the Team to cover the installation of roof windows, French windows and the removal of mullions. The Group were reminded of the Building Standards Team's commitment to provide training workshops for architects and designers in aspects of the Building Regulations if sufficient interest is shown.
The Building Standards Customer Forum Group meetings are held on a twice yearly basis, the next one being in June 2008. Should anyone be interested in attending the next event please contact the Building Standards Team by email at: buildingstandards@clacks.gov.uk or telephone 01259 452560/452561.
(JM)
