www.theNBS.

com ISSN: 1740-0449

01 CE marking – Construction product

mainstay or minefield?
02 Building pathology – Safety during surveys
05 Feedback on the National BIM Library so far…
07 Every picture tells a story
09 NBS Customer satisfaction survey
11 Sports ground reuse
13 Using Uniclass2
15 A cottage in Weardale 2012 update
17 Coordinating Common Arrangement, Uniclass,
NBS and Rules of Measurement

Journal
21 November 2012
01
NBS Journal 21
Editorial
CE marking –
Construction product
mainstay or minefield?
I started thinking about this article on a
recent holiday. I noticed that from a selection
of articles in my washbag only the Optrex
eyedrops carried a CE mark. But then I
realized that this was probably because only
toiletry products within categories subject
to European directives or standards and
offered for sale across the European Union
have a requirement to be CE marked.
The same requirements now apply to
construction products. The Construction
Products Directive (CPD) of 1989 introduced
the concept of CE marking but its application
was voluntary in the UK. However, the CPD
has now been replaced by the Construction
Products Regulation (CPR) of 2011 which
comes into force on 1 July 2013. Under the
CPR it will be mandatory for construction
product manufacturers to add the CE mark to
products which are covered by a harmonized
European Standard or European Technical
Assessment (ETA), and offered for sale
in EU markets (including the UK). Now
I don’t want this discourse to cover the
ground of many other informative guides
in looking at the concepts and requirements
of the CPR, for this I recommend the
Construction Products Association website:
www.constructionproducts.org.uk and their
featured publication ‘Guidance Note on the
Construction Products Regulation’. Here, I
would rather offer some advice and opinions
relevant to designers on the CPR and its
application to product specification.
First of all, is a CE mark currently required
for a construction product? A count of the
BSI reference documents in NBS (approx
2,650) shows that around one third are
still in British Standard (BS) format rather
than European Standard (BS EN) format.
CE marking is not applicable to products
covered by British Standards. Of course,
most British Standards will eventually be
replaced by European Standards, but there
will remain products that are peculiar to the
UK that will retain their British Standard.
When there is a European Standard for a
product, is it harmonized? If not, then CE
marking is not applicable. Also, the CPR allows
exemptions for bespoke products, in situ made
products and traditional or heritage products.
However, we cannot bury our heads in the
sand and must assume that the majority of
construction products will be covered by
harmonized European Standards or ETAs
in the near future. The CPR is a legislative
act of the European Union and enforceable
as law in all member states. For this reason,
it is not necessary to repeatedly invoke CE
marking as a requirement in NBS product
clauses. Instead, we will give guidance on
product CE marking and the relevance of
characteristics to particular applications.
It is important to remember that although
a product may have a CE mark it may not
be suitable for all applications or uses in
the UK. It is the responsibility of designers,
specifiers and contractors to ensure that a
product has the correct characteristics for
a particular application.
Product manufacturers are responsible
for application of CE marking to their
products as a declaration that it complies
with CPR requirements. The manufacturer
provides a Declaration of Performance
(DoP) that confirms actual performance,
compliance with minimum performance, or
class of performance reached. Specifiers
can compare products via their DoPs but
remain free to set their own performance
requirements where called for on a project.
But for assembled or imported products,
who is the manufacturer? The CPR allows
CE marking by ‘authorized representatives’.
I have been an interested participant in
meetings of the Centre for Window and
Cladding Technology (CWCT) Technical
Committee when responsibility for
CE marking has been discussed. The
consensus is – it depends upon the product:
– For glass it is the manufacturer or processor.
– For a curtain wall it is the specialist
installation contractor.
– F
 or windows it is the manufacturer
if supplied as a complete unit or the
specialist installation contractor if
supplied as a kit of parts.
However, as an illustration of the
complexities in this, let’s look at curtain
walling. The harmonized product standard
for curtain walling is BS EN 13830, but it is
being rewritten for issue in 2014 when CE
marking DoPs will have to be revised. Initial
type testing of curtain walling will be carried
out by system manufacturers; this will define
CPR and other performance characteristics
of a ‘standard’ construction and will apply
to walls of ‘similar’ construction. All curtain
walls are modified to some degree, e.g.
spacing of framing, alternatives for glazing,
infill panels, gaskets and hardware. So
when does a curtain wall vary to an extent
that its DoP is invalid and further type
testing and classification is necessary? It
comes down initially to the judgement of
the specialist installation contractor, but this
can be challenged by the specifier. Final
adjudication on this is by Trading Standards
Officers who will no doubt call in specialist
expert witnesses. Can of worms or what!
The manufacturer members of the
CWCT Technical Committee do not seem
concerned by compliance with the CPR and
interpretation of responsibilities. They are
mostly representing multinational companies
that have well-established quality and testing
regimes for products that perform to or in
excess of CE marking requirements. Factory,
independent laboratory and in situ testing
regimes are well established and most system
manufacturers work with approved installers.
Of course, some of the more ‘backstreet’
sectors and operatives in our industry will
need careful supervision. As usual, it is a
case of specifier beware.
Richard Teale
NBS Chief Editor, Journal Editor
richard.teale@theNBS.com
02
NBS Journal 21
Building pathology

Building NBS Technical Author,

Charles Stirling, continues
his building pathology series

pathology:
with a subject important to all
surveyors – personal safety.

Safety during surveys

A number of years ago, while working with a to the possible risks and, in particular, the cameras and binoculars. It would also make
specialist roofing contractor, I was required need for any personal protection to head, sense to keep a set of waterproofs and
to accompany an architect and building feet, hands, etc. perhaps a spare shirt and pair of trousers;
surveyor onto a large industrial roof to not everyone in the office will appreciate
undertake a detailed condition survey. Both Where it may be difficult to assess all the you drying off your gear over the radiator.
individuals were seasoned professionals, risks beforehand, it would seem sensible
used to coming onto site and undertaking to have a kit of protective and safety In addition, where you are likely to be
surveys of all sorts of buildings. However, gear always on standby. As an absolute routinely using a full body harness, e.g.
it didn’t take long to realize they were minimum, you’ll need a plastic storage box when using a mobile elevated working
woefully ill-prepared for the task in hand. In kitted out with: safety boots, high visibility platform (MEWP) or ‘cherry picker’, I would
stark contrast, the two roofing operatives jacket and vest (for the summer!), hard recommend procuring your own. There
accompanying us to assist in loosening hat, goggles, ear defenders and a range of is nothing more unseemly than watching
sheeting and flashings were properly ‘suited gloves (disposable and safety). I’ve always the project manager rolling around the site
and booted’. Both wearing proper head, foot found that the high visibility jacket or vest hut trying to climb into or adjust a standard
and eye protection; high visibility jackets seems to provide some degree of implied sized, supplied harness. And remember,
and full body harnesses. The tweed jacket authority when surveying, and certainly you will require your own harness, and any
and leather brogues, or denims and trainers, prevents confusion with Department for associated lanyard, inspected at regular
may be fine in the office but unfortunately Work and Pensions officers when you’re intervals in accordance with manufacturer’s
offer no real protection on a profiled metal walking around certain housing estates with recommendations.
roof four storeys up above a busy Glasgow
thoroughfare. 1 Be aware of the condition of any scaffolding
used for access.
A quick rummage through the operatives’ vans
soon procured spare sets of the requisite foot
and head gear, harnesses and gloves. Once
on the roof, however, it was clear that the lack
of safety awareness didn’t stop at personal
attire; the final straw coming when the architect
used the toe of his steel-capped boot to test
the fragility of a rooflight. It struck me that there
was a bizarre irony in our safety behaviour:
as professionals we demand high levels of
operational safety from our contractors, i.e.
in the provision of risk assessments, method
statements, adherence to safe practices and
standards, toolbox talks, etc., but we may
not reflect this in our own behaviour. How
many safety briefings or CPD hours have
you undertaken this month and do you keep
records? I’ll wager your contractors on site
will be able to demonstrate their attendance.

Dress code
Undertaking most surveys, particularly
where they involve internal domestic
inspections, may not require the full
protective ensemble required by an
operative working externally. However,
before we undertake any survey work,
detailed consideration needs to be given
03–04
NBS Journal 21
Building pathology

Access risks
We’re now fully kitted up and ready to go.
But hold on, we’ve assessed the personal
protection issues but have we fully
assessed all the risks? What about access?

Where access to an external façade or a

roof area is by a ladder or other access
equipment, e.g. scaffold tower, MEWP, then
follow manufacturers’ and HSE guidance
on positioning, operating and, in the case
of ladders and scaffolding, securing and
footing. In addition, whilst surveying from
within a MEWP fitted with effective anchor
points, a body harness should be worn.
MEWPs are normally intended as work
platforms and not as a means of access
to elevated levels. However, the HSE
recommends that where a MEWP is to be
used as a means of access to an elevated
level, it should be designed to allow safe
access and egress, i.e. it should incorporate
a gate or barrier. Also, the risk assessment
method statement should identify a safe
dismounting procedure and location; it is
not acceptable, or safe, to simply clamber
over the edge rails to gain access to the
higher level.

Where existing scaffolding is to be used

to gain access to higher levels, it is the
responsibility of the surveyor to ensure
that it is safe for this purpose. Check the
existence and security of guard rails, toe
boards and access routes. Where available,
inspect any ‘Scafftags’ or site records to
ensure that the scaffold has been checked
before use. Avoid accessing the type of
scaffolding highlighted in Photograph 1.
The lower deck on this ladder access tower
is incomplete, probably only boarded to
allow the scaffolders a working platform and
should have been removed on completion
or made safe. However, a colleague on
hearing his mobile phone ringing stepped
from the ladder onto this platform to take the
call. With incomplete boarding, no handrail
or toe boards – it’s not a safe place to be.
Having safely got to the higher elevations
there are some basic do’s and don’ts,
particularly on roofs. At all levels, particular
care must be taken around edges and
penetrations; don’t be tempted to walk
backwards to capture that important
photograph unless you have ensured a
clear route and that any penetrations or
holes in the floor have edge protection.
Fragile roofing, e.g. asbestos and rooflights,
should not be walked on. Under certain light
2 Always use
dedicated walkways
across fragile roof
surfaces.
conditions it may be difficult to differentiate
between the sound roof surface and the
fragile rooflight. Where provided, always
use dedicated walkways around roofs,
Photograph 2. Don’t be tempted to walk
along valley gutters, they may offer a
convenient route across the roof but they
represent a slip hazard and the exposed
edges of sheet metal or asbestos are a
considerable cutting risk. Another reason
for those stout safety boots!
When surveying, we need to caution against
complacency. There may be edge protection
and a safe access route to the point of
survey, but we need to be constantly aware
of potential risks. Photograph 3 highlights
a number of potential risks on an area of
roof bounded by a high parapet. The area
incorporates unprotected low-level glazing;
trip hazards in the form of rainwater outlet
cages and discarded timber, and a restricted
passageway due to air conditioning plant.
Special risks
On many high risk sites, e.g. railway
property, electricity sub stations, specific
training or guidance, typically provided by
the client, will be needed before access.
Many organizations, e.g. retail outlets,
specialist manufacturing plants, schools,
may require visitors to register or ‘sign in’
and be escorted during their stay. Respect
these requests. In addition, schools and
hospitals represent particular risks for
surveyors, not from hostile inmates, but
due to the sensitivity of taking photographs
in and around these buildings. The author
knows only too well the folly of surveying
and photographing roof defects above a
school swimming pool; rooflights which
were completely opaque at roof level were
unfortunately clear when viewed from the
pool and changing rooms below! Always
request permission to take photographs or
video footage and when on roof areas have
an awareness of the use of rooms below.
Natural risks
Typically not covered in standard, surveying
text books or HSE guides, the local wildlife
can represent quite a risk to the unwary
surveyor. I’m sure many of us will have
experienced the amorous advances of
Jack Russell terriers or the almost life-
threatening scratches from domestic cats,
usually to the owner’s plaintive cry ‘Oh dear,
he’s never done that before.’ However, we
also need to be alert to the risks associated
with undomesticated animals. Bees and
wasps are common assailants and we
should always be mindful of squirrels and
rats, particularly where we inadvertently
corner them in roof spaces or below floors.
However, not all the risks arise inside.
During the early summer period, when birds
are nesting, roof surveys can be particularly
hazardous. The common gull, Photograph
4, in particular seems to have a penchant
for administering serious damage to anyone
coming close to the nesting area. An old
roofer’s solution is to have your assistant
hold aloft a broom, which becomes the point
of impact for the gull’s diving attacks and not
the back of your skull.
3 A well-protected roof access route
but with trip hazards and falling risks.
Recommendations  hird parties – ensure that you
– T
In such a short article it is not possible to have permissions for access and any
cover fully all safety aspects relating to recording that you wish to undertake
undertaking surveys. For specific safety during the survey; consider and
guidance see the Health and Safety respect users of the building and take
Executive website. precautions against the many natural
antagonists that may be encountered.
At the very least remember the following:
And finally, a powerful safety reminder:
– ‘Suited and booted’ – ensure you
alongside the exit door of the offices of
are properly dressed and protected
the aforementioned roofing contractor
and where there are particular site
there was a poster with the wording
conditions requiring specific protection,
‘THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR
e.g. face mask, harness, eye protection,
YOUR SAFETY’, below which was
wear it.
mounted a mirror.
– A
 ccess – where additional equipment
is required to gain access to specific charles.stirling@theNBS.com
elements or higher levels, ensure it is
appropriate and safe for this use. Where
access appears to be straightforward,
ensure that all exposed edges, penetrations
through floors and dangerous areas
have adequate edge protection or are
eliminated from the survey.
4 The young are very cute, but beware,
mother is not far away and she packs a punch.
05–06
NBS Journal 21
Building information modelling
Feedback on the
National BIM Library
so far…
The National BIM Library is a free resource
for the UK construction industry − an
attempt to provide quality BIM content that
is authored to open standard. Four months
after the launch of the National BIM Library,
we wanted to know what a selection of BIM
experts in the UK thought about what we
have done so far and also what direction
they’d like us to take in the future.
In order to gauge this, we were delighted
that a number of experts from a range of
companies at the forefront of BIM in the UK
agreed to join us for the day. We brought
together a nicely balanced mix of architects,
engineers, contractors and clients to
discuss how we can best serve the industry.
The event was held in July and the findings
are below.
There were two main areas of discussion.
How can we support the industry from a
technical content point of view? Also, how
can we support the industry by providing
additional functionality?
Technical Content and BIM
Information over visual content: The
overriding feedback was on the importance
of the ‘Information’ contained within a
BIM object, rather than the visual aspect.
With regard to generic objects, visual
appearance only needs to be sufficient
to simply identify the object within the
model environment; as such, it should be
overtly generic in appearance with a low
level of graphic detail. When a generic
object is replaced with a manufacturer’s
proprietary object, then its level of visual
detail should increase. In terms of its
rendered appearance, simple block colours
are preferred over material textures. This
keeps the file size low and is sufficient for
quick presentational renders. More realistic
visualisations are often undertaken in a
specialist package by a different in-house
department or outsourced agency.
Space planning: Participants suggested
that in order to aid the designer at an early
concept stage and with space planning,
real value could be gained from objects
Dr Stephen Hamil, Director
of Design and Innovation and
Head of BIM at NBS, describes
feedback gained from an assembly
of BIM experts. Summaries are
included on content discussions
from Technical Author and
Architect, Stefan Mordue, and
on functionality discussions from
Software Development Director,
Dr John Henderson.
that relate to activity spaces, zones and
circulation. We can begin to indicate spaces
such as wheelchair turning zones, minimum
dimensions needed in front of a lift and
maintenance zones around plant in 3D.
Where next: For the National BIM Library to
be truly national, our content must include
more than just the building fabric. There
was a clear message that Mechanical and
Electrical objects are currently lacking
and would be a beneficial addition to the
content. In much the same way as NBS
Create responds to different disciplines, so
should the range of objects being offered on
the National BIM Library. Mechanical and
Electrical content should not only comprise
common objects but also incorporate plan
symbols. Further sector-specific standard
libraries such as Health Care could also
be explored − using a bed as an example,
we could provide a hospital bed and its
associated unique features. Further objects
to consider would be lifts, escalators and
stairs, all applicable to the UK construction
standards.
Object vs template: Users stated that they
would benefit from support on how to author
their own content by way of a ‘creation guide’.
In order for this to be successful, a standard
dictionary of terms, property definitions
and abbreviations that transcends all BIM
platforms would allow everyone to create
content to the same standard. General
comments pointed towards a desire for the
NBS to produce ‘standard property sets’
and ‘templates’ rather than more objects.
These template property definitions are of
real importance − a combination of IFC,
COBie and NBS properties all need to be
standardized for BIM objects.

There were concerns raised regarding the

overall model size and suggestions were
made for parameters to reflect the RIBA
stages of work and direct what should be
filled out and when. Further parameters
could also be added to include:
–A
 pplication-specific properties, such as
cost indicators and certification.
– O
 perational parameters, such as cleaning
regimes and manufacturer’s requirements.
– C
 arbon data, such as embedded carbon
and delivery distances to site.
Technical content summary: Overall,
feedback was very positive and the group
acknowledged that what we are trying to
achieve is a good attempt to establish an
industry standard. More content is needed
along with better guidance on the standards
used to create the objects. At present the
objects do not contain information that could
be used in the Health and Safety File and
there is an inability to separate geometry from
data. Users liked the fact that the information
within the National BIM Library was consistent
and that standard attributes could be
embellished. They were looking forward
to the future development of the library.
Functionality to link the specification
into the BIM process
The group brainstormed the challenges
currently faced in the industry and provided
a steer for our Research and Development
team to investigate. The issues were:
– N
 BS already provides software tools to link
the specification model to the central BIM
for ArchiCAD and Revit – but we need to go
further. It’s not just the objects themselves
that need coordination but the properties
within them. If the designer specifies ‘fire
rating’ in the specification and the BIM object
– we need ‘clash detection’ at property level.
– T
 he group would like the software tools to
link both ways between the specification
model and the central BIM.
– T
 he fact that the central government is
mandating structured open standard
data is fantastic and the COBie data
schema is the correct level for the ‘lowest
common denominator’. However, the
group believed that the current reliance on
Microsoft Excel for the COBie data schema
is not acceptable. Furthermore, going
from a relational database for design,
to Microsoft Excel and then back into a
relational database for FM is not a viable
option. The software vendors (including
NBS) should provide functionality that
goes above and beyond this. The COBie
schema is fine – but a better user interface
and a SQL-based data format is required.
– T
 he group wants extremely well-structured
manufacturer data. There was discussion
about how manufacturers that are preferred
by the contractor or client can be highlighted
to the designer. Also, if the designer specifies
by performance then it would be great if
the available manufacturer products could
be filtered to show only the relevant items.
A fantastic day
To get a range of BIM experts from all parts
of the industry together in a room to discuss
the big issues was a real pleasure. The
message we took was that the National BIM
Library is definitely on the right track, but
that we shouldn’t take our foot off the pedal.
If there was one theme of the day to
conclude on, it was the importance of
collaboration. Some of the comments from
the feedback sheets demonstrate this:
– ‘Great day. A great mix of individuals
representing all parts of the industry’.
– ‘Very well organized. Great venue’.
– ‘A really good mix of people who all had
something to offer’.
– ‘Well structured. Fast paced (which is
good) and a good mix of knowledgeable
people’.
– ‘Lively discussion from people with
diverse areas of expertise’.
Further information on BIM:
– Over 100 articles from BIM experts:
www.theNBS.com/topics/BIM/articles
– The
 National BIM Library:
www.nationalBIMlibrary.com
– Roundtable
 discussions and interviews:
www.theNBS.com/topics/BIM/videos
Stephen Hamil –
twitter.com/StephenHamilNBS
07–08
NBS Journal 21
Photography
Every
picture
tells a
story
Introduction
I was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and have
spent most of my life here, apart from a career
break where I fulfilled a lifetime dream to travel
the world. This adventure led me to fall in love
with photography. Large cities, such as Hong
Kong, New York, Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur,
were creative playgrounds to me.
Now, photography has been an important
part of my life for quite some time, a hobby
that has spiralled out of control. Basically, I
am a self-taught amateur; however, people
are encouraging me to ‘go pro’, but at present
I continue doing it for enjoyment. As the
positive feedback on my work continues, my
confidence grows, and early in 2012 I took
the plunge and invested in a ‘real’ camera.
I am very passionate about music and
have naturally progressed towards music
photography. This is where the idea for ‘GJB
Performance Photography’ came about,
which has been amazingly successful.
Although all my work thus far has been ‘TF’
(unpaid) it has helped build my portfolio. I
continue to receive offers for photography
work and have been published in both
regional and national UK music press,
with some of my contributions to album
artwork currently going to press. This has
firmly established the GJB Performance
Photography brand in the North-east
music scene. I am immensely proud of this
achievement in such a relatively short period
and look forward to what the future may bring.
Graeme Baty works in the NBS Production
department as a Senior Assistant on NBS Plus.
We knew of
his interest in
photography
but did not
realize how this
extended to
buildings and
landscapes.
Here, he
explains his
approach and
methods.
Photo: Chantale Aubin
Styles results in the right hands, so again it comes
My style has evolved over the years. It can down to personal preference.
be very strange looking back at my older
work, seeing ‘mistakes’ or mishaps, but a A camera that shoots in ‘RAW format’ is
firm style is developing. ‘Be different’ is my essential for any professional work; this
motto. I cover a variety of subjects − events, provides you with the added safety net of
landscape, architectural, sports, portraits and being able to adjust settings and make
even weddings. For each, I have adopted corrections after the shot has been taken.
different styles. In this article, I will concentrate
on landscape and architectural photography.
Newcastle-based rock band
There is no correct way to compose a Def Con One.
photograph, although there are certain
‘rules’ to follow. I find that, like with music,
photography is subject to taste, some
pictures will appeal to you whilst others do
not. I always aim to create an image that I
like; I’ve learned to trust my taste and accept
that you won’t please everyone.
Equipment
Photographers can be a fussy bunch,
choosing systems is not unlike the Mac vs
Windows scenario, the main competitors I
would say are Canon and Nikon. There are
pros and cons for each brand. Personally,
I love the user friendliness of the Canon,
easy menus and quick setting changes. But
mostly I love the detail you can obtain from
the Canon sensors. Try as many as you can
before investing and chose the one you prefer.
But to be fair, camera technology and
options are simply mind boggling these
days; we really are spoilt for choice. All
systems are capable of producing brilliant
My typical kit bag for architectural and Karlsplatz,
landscape photo shoots comprises: Vienna, Austria.
This recent image
–  anon 550d.
C
uses multiple
– Canon 18–200 mm telephoto lens.
exposures and
– Tamron 10–24 mm wide angle lens.
digital editing
– Canon Kit lens (as a backup).
techniques (HDR)
– Batteries.
to enhance the
– Filters – UV and Polarising (essential to
natural dynamic
cut out unwanted glare/reflections).
range of lighting,
– Tripod.
adding more detail
– Shutter remote.
to the shot. Note
– Raincoat and good walking shoes!
the features of
the front of the
Angle/ Perspective
building are clearly
This is the key; with a good angle or
visible despite the
perspective, it is possible to get amazing results
light source being
from any camera. Keep it interesting, I often
behind the subject.
use low angle shots, something different that
will catch the eye and engage an audience
that is used to seeing from eye level.

Utilize surroundings and space by

experimenting with depth of field and point
of focus, especially if you are trying to draw
attention to a specific part of the subject
or building. The rule of thirds also should
also be utilized to engage the audience; it
works tremendously well in landscape and
architectural photos. It’s a simple theory and
most modern cameras come with an option
to display gridlines on your camera screen.
These gridlines separate the picture into Use the lenses to your advantage. A wide To Photoshop or not to Photoshop?
nine sections, where those lines intersect is angle lens can be fun as it is aspherical and There was a time when I was adamantly
where you should place key features of the will distort naturally around the edges of the opposed to digital editing − there is always
picture. The gridlines also help to ensure the picture. This can make for some brilliant results the thought that it is somehow ‘cheating’.
horizon is flat. when photographing landscapes or buildings. I’ve come to realize that I was wrong, good
‘Photoshopping’ not only enhances an image
but introduces a whole new level of creativity.
Leeds Corn Exchange –
Here, I have used the lines of the
I now use a wide array of editing software, not
curved roof to frame the shot.
just Photoshop, although all my photo RAWs
are pre-processed in Photoshop. Again,
it comes down to the personal taste of the
photographer. I try to add an additional edge
to my photos, it can be a balancing act, over-
processing images is all too easy. I aim to
have a natural looking but enhanced image,
I look at a digital RAW file as a negative that
requires work before going to print.

Summary
Photography is a passion, it can be hard work,
stressful and mostly expensive, but it is also
highly addictive! However, to me, the most
important part of photography is fun. There
is no right or wrong. Point, click and enjoy.
The latter being the most important point.

graeme.baty@ribaenterprises.com
and soon at
www.gjbperformancephotography.co.uk

All photos © Graeme Baty

09–10
NBS Journal 21
Customer satisfaction survey
NBS Customer
satisfaction survey
2011
As some of you may know, each
year we carry out a satisfaction
survey with you, the NBS
customers. Here, Adrian Malleson,
NBS Research and Analysis
Manager, reports on its findings.
We’ve been doing a Customer satisfaction
survey for a number of years now and it
helps us understand:
– Who you, our product subscribers, are.
– W
 hat you do and what kind of practices
and companies you work for.
– H
 ow you use our products and what you
think of them.
– W
 hat changes you’d like us to make to
our products.
– W
 hat you think of us as a company and
how you find dealing with us.
– H
 ow you are finding the current economic
climate.
We use the information we get from you
in a number of ways: to inform product
development, to improve our customer
service and marketing, and to make sure our
products continue to provide accurate, up-
to-date information in the ways that are most
useful to you. It’s true that we can’t make all
of the changes you ask for and sometimes
making those changes we do make can
take a long time. But it’s also true that what
you tell us in the survey is vital to how we
run our business and the investments we
make in technical authoring, research and
development, and customer service.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the
time to complete the survey. We do appreciate
it. We will be running the survey again at the
end of this year so, please, look out for the
email from me. If you (and your colleagues)
can complete it, that would be most helpful.
General findings
The survey’s content varied by the products
people subscribed to, but there were a
number of questions asked of everybody.
This was so that we could get both a
specific understanding about how you find
the products you use, as well as a general
understanding of your views about NBS.
We received well over 600 responses and
this represented our highest response rate
yet; 11 per cent. This level of response
allows us to be confident that the opinions
respondents give us are representative of
our customers overall.
As we’ve seen in previous years, NBS
is not just for architectural practices.
Whilst almost half our respondents work
for an architectural practice, there are
also significant numbers of landscape
architects, building surveyors, quantity
surveyors, multidisciplinary practices,
structural engineers, as well as many
from local and regional government. This
diversity of businesses is mirrored in a
diversity of company size. Almost a third of
respondents work in businesses with five or
fewer employees, whilst, at the other end,
a quarter have more than 100 employees.
This year we also asked about the number
of projects people have been involved
in. This is where we could quite clearly
see the effects of the current economic
environment, an environment that three
quarters rightly thought wouldn’t have
improved in 2012. Three percent of
respondents told us that they had had
no new projects in the last year. Four per
cent had only one or two. Nearly a quarter,
twenty three per cent, had worked on
between just three and five projects. The
message is clear, times are tough and they
are especially tough for smaller practices.
As the NBS product range develops, we will
continue to explore ways we can best serve
practices of all sizes doing differing numbers
of projects as well as different project types.
We also found that NBS customers are
carrying out a whole range of professional
activities. Eighty four per cent are involved
in writing specifications, seventy nine per
cent administer contracts, seventy one
percent write schedules of work and sixty
four per cent prepare Building Regulations
submissions. Well over seventy per cent
either prepare 2D or 3D drawings, or use
BIM. BIM itself is used by just sixteen per
cent but we expect that number to increase.
We support this range of professional
activity through our existing and developing
products and content. The topic areas on
theNBS.com are there to help too.
About our products and services
Overall, our customers are satisfied with
NBS products. Over ninety per cent of
respondents told us they are either satisfied
or very satisfied with them, whilst less than
three per cent tell us they are dissatisfied.
In particular, ninety one per cent told us
they were satisfied with the overall technical
content, and eighty nine per cent were
satisfied with it being up to date. Around three
quarters find NBS products user friendly and
find them able to do everything they need,
with only eight and nine per cent respectively
not finding them so. Where the products are
seen as a little weaker (though still strong)
is in them giving the opportunity to edit and
We also continue to ask about a series of So, for all the statements about what we
statements that represent our aims as an are trying to do as an organization, a clear
organization. Across all products we found: majority agree that we are doing it. These
scores have improved gradually since we
– 9
 2% agreed with the statement
first asked in 2007; in particular, our score for
‘NBS is well recognized’.
being innovative, whilst still the lowest, has
– 8
 9% agreed with the statement improved. Perhaps this reflects some of the
‘NBS provides high quality’. innovative products such as NBS Domestic
and NBS Create we’ve released since then.
– 8
 8% agreed with the statement
‘NBS is reliable’.
Final note
– 8
 5% agreed with the statement Thanks again to all those who responded
‘NBS shows integrity’. to our survey. We will continue to run it
each year to monitor changes, inform our
– 7
 9% agreed with the statement
product development and improve our
‘NBS understands the needs of
customer service. If you have any questions
businesses like ours’.
or comments on any of our research, please
– 7
 9% agreed with the statement feel free to get in touch with me.
‘NBS is responsive’.
adrian.malleson@ribaenterprises.com
– 6
 7% agreed with the statement
‘NBS is innovative’. Infographic: Liam Bremner
NBS
EDUCATION 2%
ARCHITECTURAL
TECHNICIANS 2%

Customer
HOUSING
present information in the way people want. ASSOCIATION 2%
YOUR ORGANISATION’S
Whilst there is still strong satisfaction here – TYPE OF BUSINESS?
STRUCTURAL
over sixty five per cent – it is not as strong as
in other areas. Overall though, satisfaction Satisfaction ENGINEERS 2%

OTH
NO
N
AR -RIBA
levels are strong and over eighty five percent
Survey 2011 E
CH

R8
ITE
CT

%
3%
of people describe NBS as ‘essential to my
business’ so our current and future product QUAN
SURV
TITY
EYOR RIBA
development will look to maintain and 6%
REGISTERED
89% OF RESPONDENTS ARE
improve these satisfaction ratings. SATISFIED WITH NBS
APE
LANDSC T 5%
ARCHITECT
EC 47%
ARCHIT
%
ING R 6
DISCIPLINARY 9%

We also asked some general questions about ILD YO

NT NAL

8% ARE NEITHER BU RVE

8%

the NBS product, and are pleased to say that SU

ME IO
RN EG

at least eighty per cent of people agree with

VE L/R

MULTI
GO CA

each of these statements : ‘it’s easy to use’,

LO

3% OF RESPONDENTS ARE
DISSATISFIED WITH NBS
‘it enables technical accuracy’, ‘it keeps me
up to date’, ‘it save time’, ‘it maintains quality
control’, and perhaps most importantly of WHAT DO RESPONDENTS DO?
all, ‘it reduces risk’. One area where people Write Specifications 84%
Administer Contracts 79%
were more likely to disagree was in ease of NBS PRODUCT OVERALL EXPERIENCE Write Schedules of Work 71%
OPINIONS... OF NBS...
use; six per cent disagreed that NBS is easy Produce 2D Project Drawings 70%
Prepare Building Regs
to use. We’ve responded to this by investing Submissions 64%
more in our interface design – the results of % %
Write Preliminaries 60%
Produce 3D Project Drawings 31%
which you can see in NBS Create. Use BIM 16%

About us EASY TO USE SHOWS INTEGRITY SOME USEFUL FREE RESOURCES

At NBS we really do try to provide the best YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT
Free to use BIM objects at
possible customer service. We don’t always www.nationalbimlibrary.com
succeed, but it is very much our aim. So we % % Trusted industry reports and surveys at
wanted to test if our efforts are producing www.thenbs.com/resources

the right results. Well, ninety three percent Topical blogs at

www.thenbs.com/blogs
rate our quality of service as good or very ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDES HIGH
good, the same number similarly rates MY BUSINESS QUALITY Let us bring the news to you.
Sign up for NBS enews at
both our responses to enquiries and our www.thenbs.com
competence. Eighty four per cent say
we are good or very good at keeping you % % Did you know?
Our team are making 1000s of
technical changes to NBS across all
informed, and eighty eight percent say the of our products. On average we
same about our ability to solve problems. SAVES ME TIME IS RELIABLE
receive 150 British Standards
each month that require review,
We are pleased with these results but we’re AGREE NEITHER DISAGREE
assessment and action.

aiming to improve them as time goes on.

11–12
NBS Journal 21
Sports ground legacy
Sports ground reuse
Stefan Mordue, NBS Technical
Author and Architect, continues
his sports ground theme. In
the last issue of the Journal it
was ‘safety’, now it is ‘reuse’;
appropriate to the London
Olympic legacy.
Beach Volleyball Stadium –
Beijing 2008 (Reuters) .
White City Stadium 1908.
Introduction
The tourists have gone, normal television
service has resumed and official merchandise
fills up the bargain bins. With the summer
Olympics now over, it is hoped that a lasting
legacy will be created for the nation through
the sustainable, social, economic and sporting
legacies. However, sitting in east London, the
Olympic Stadium is a physical reminder, an
imposing addition to the London skyline. With
the hype now gone, what is the future of this
centrepiece for the 2012 summer games and
just what do you do with buildings of this nature
when they come to the end of their lives?
Since the early 1890s when the nascent
International Olympic Committee decided
that the modern Olympics would not have
a permanent base, as was the ancient
tradition, cities have fought hard to host the
games. On 6 July 2005, London eagerly
awaited the outcome of its application to
become ‘Olympic city’ in 2012. London was
successful and would provide the necessary
venues, facilities and infrastructure that
would make the UK the centre of the world’s
attention for the summer sporting festivities.
White elephants?
To host the largest sporting event in the
world creates an obvious need for significant
expenditure and investment in venues, which
can lead to both positive and, unfortunately,
negative consequences. Although the
Olympics provide the opportunity for the
host city to create, impress and dazzle
those watching, they also impose demands
that are quite different from other smaller
sporting events. Many cities struggle to find
alternative users for their imposing venues
once the crowds have gone. Most recently,
this has been the case in Beijing 2008 with
the ‘Water cube’ Aquatics centre, the ‘Birds
nest’ Stadium.
This ‘white elephant’ syndrome is not unique
to the Olympics however; South Africa’s World
Cup stadia are failing to provide sufficient
revenue since the 2010 event closed.
White City Olympic Stadium 1908
The first Olympic Stadium built in the UK was
for the 1908 Games and was the largest of its
day, holding 93,000 spectators, with 63,000
seated. Originally scheduled for Rome, a
volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906
caused relocation of the games to London. A
concrete stadium was constructed to house
athletics, cycling, swimming and diving. In
the years that followed the Olympics, it was
used for greyhound racing and subsequently
underwent renovation and reconfiguration
to allow for events such as national and
international athletics. Greyhound racing made
a reappearance following the move of athletics
to Crystal Place in 1971, but the stadium’s days
were numbered and in 1985 it was demolished.
Wembley Olympic Stadium 1948
The UK’s second Olympic Stadium at
Wembley played host for the 1948 summer
Olympics but is perhaps better known for
its association with football. This was not a
purpose-built stadium; it was originally built
for the 1924 British Empire Exhibition and
restored for the Olympics. Since 1948 it has
accommodated football, speedway, rugby
(union and league), greyhound racing,
hockey, boxing and wrestling. In 1975
it staged a show by daredevil stuntman
Evel Knievel; he crashed in front of 90,000
spectators when he tried to jump 13 double-
decker buses! Officially known as the
Empire Stadium with the iconic twin towers,
it also had success as musical venue,
hosting the now legendary British leg of the
Live Aid concerts in 1985. It was demolished
in 2002 to make way for the new Wembley
Stadium, completed in 2007.
Wembley Stadium – demolition 2002
Olympic Stadium 2012
While the London 2012 Olympics comprised
some 34 venues, only 8 of these are
permanent. Temporary structures such as
arenas in Greenwich Park and Horse Guards
Parade, which can be reused for future
competitions, were provided. Also, existing
stadia and venues in London and across
the country were adapted for use, such as
Wembley Stadium and Arena, the Excel Centre,
Earls Court and St James Park in Newcastle.
The requirements for a main Olympic stadium
often result in difficulties in accommodating
other uses. It has to be the focus for the
opening and closing ceremonies, be open-
air with around 80,000 seats and be used
for the athletics competitions.
A guiding principle in the design and
development of the London stadium was the
ability of it to be reused after the games. Many
stadia in the past have been converted to host
alternative sports, however, the London 2012
Organising Committee (LOCOG), chaired by
Lord Sebastian Coe, were keen to provide an
athletics legacy for London after the games, by
leaving the track in place for both community
and elite athletics. Designed by Populous
(formally HOK sport), the Olympic Stadium
went against the grain of previous permanent
and monumental constructions. It embraced
the temporary, with seating that could be
removed after the games, and it had fewer
permanent internal concession stands, instead
providing temporary facilities located outside.
Planned and constructed in the midst of
worldwide financial crises, some of the original
design features had to be shelved. However,
in some respects, the temporary nature of the
building was also used as an asset; strong
colours could be used since long-term fade
due to climatic conditions was not an issue.
Since its inception, many organizations
have been linked to the stadium for future
uses, from bringing Formula 1 racing to the
area to relocation of football clubs including
West Ham and Leyton Orient. As it stands, the
stadium capacity is simply too big for these
uses, and the rake of the seating and retention
of the running track are simply not conducive
to the football atmosphere and will require
expensive modifications − a figure of £160
million has been cited. The City of Manchester
Stadium for the 2002 Commonwealth Games
was successfully converted to football use
as the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester
City. Here, the running track was removed,
the football pitch added 6 m lower and more
raked seating added.
Olympic Stadium 2012.
The Olympic Stadium has already proved a
successful concert venue and, indeed, it was
use as a music and concert venue (in the form
of the O2 arena) that saved the Greenwich
Millennium Dome, although it could be argued
that little more than the ‘shell’ was retained.
Other uses − Highbury and Vicarage Road
Not all stadia have been developed with a
‘future’ use in mind, with many older stadia
being developed over years and in ad hoc
fashion. Without the protection of listing,
Arsenal FC’s Highbury Stadium would have
probably been demolished following the
Taylor Report and Hillsborough Disaster −
see my article in Journal 20.
With its standing capacity dramatically
reduced to accommodate seating and being
situated within a built-up area, the club had
no choice but to relocate to a new stadium,
vacating the ground they had called home
since 1913. The art-deco styled east stand
on Avenell Road, by C W Ferrier, was listed
grade II in 1997. The listing only related to the
fabric of the building rather than its surrounding
context, but getting rid of the pitch would have
left the redevelopment without a relevant
feature. Allies and Morrison’s Highbury Square
conversion created 725 new apartments
around a 100 x 70 m pitch sized garden.
The ‘Wrap’ at Watford is an affordable
housing development of 164 key worker
homes around the Rookery End of the
Watford FC’s Vicarage Road Stadium. This
is an addition rather than a redevelopment
but does illustrate how a working football
club can coexist with residential use. It
presented a different set of challenges, such
as noise attenuation from crowds, security
issues and clear separation of access.
Conclusion
So what is the future of the stadium? Not all
sporting uses can coexist and multipurpose
sports stadia are often ruled out due to
different pitch and spectator requirements.
However, there are many examples in the
UK of compatible sports, such as football
and rugby, successfully sharing a stadium.
Existing venues used for the 2012 Olympics
will revert back to their original roles: London
ExCel to exhibitions rather than boxing and
Horse Guards Parade to Trooping the Colour
rather than beach volleyball. New venues, such
as the Aquatics centre and Velodrome, will
continue on in their current form and use but will
welcome participation of the local community,
clubs and schools alongside the elite.
stefan.mordue@theNBS.com
Photos from top:
City of Manchester Stadium – athletics use
©Tony Smith
Etihad Stadium – conversion for football.
©Dennis Gilbert
Highbury stadium – reuse.
The Wrap – Vicarage Road stadium.
13–14
NBS Journal 21
Classification
Using
Uniclass2
Current coordination practice
Current CPI (Construction Project
Information) recommendations for
coordination of specifications and drawings
are that the specification section code,
clause (or object) code and clause title are
used on the drawings too, e.g. a brick wall
might be annotated with ‘F10/110 Clay facing
brickwork’ (see ‘4.1.5 Linking the documents
together’, in Production information, at
www.cpic.org.uk/en/publications/index.cfm).
The drawings wouldn’t include any other
specification-type information, the idea
being that the Contractor will then have to
look at the project specification (which is, of
course, good practice). We have developed
annotation software that helps automate this
linkage to NBS for Revit and ArchiCAD (see
‘Coordinating drawings with specifications’
on www.theNBS.com, for example).
This annotation has several sources. The
specification section code ‘F10’ comes from
Uniclass table J Work sections for buildings.
Strictly, it should be ‘JF10’ but, because all
the codes come from the same table, the
table identifier (the ‘J’) is redundant. This table
only covers systems and (some) products
for buildings, e.g. cladding and lighting
systems, and mortars and busbar trunking.
It doesn’t cover other object classes, such
as elements and spaces, and it doesn’t serve
other construction sectors, such as civil
and process engineering. These are dealt
with in other tables in Uniclass, if at all, e.g.
table F for Spaces, table G for Elements for
buildings, and table K for Work sections for civil
engineering works. This means that, as we
move along the project timeline and between
sectors, we must keep switching tables (in
which case we need to use the table codes,
to make it clear which table we are using). We
also need to switch for particular applications;
for example, elements tables are used for cost
planning and CAD layering, rather than table J.
The clause code is user-generated. If you
are using NBS Building or NBS Landscape,
then it will have come from there (NBS is just
a ‘user’ in this sense), but otherwise you’d use
your own coding. The NBS clause code could
be tweaked to make it project-specific, e.g.
you may need to use 110A and 110B, if there
are two different types of clay facing brickwork.
The clause title likewise is user-generated,
and again may be derived from NBS Building
or NBS Landscape. The user-generated (and
NBS) clause codes and titles are not derived
from any of the tables in Uniclass.
Future coordination practice
Coordination under Uniclass2 will follow
similar rules to those outlined above. That
is, three-part annotation will be used, e.g.
20-55-95/110 Battened wood floating floor
system, and 45-20-15/480 Pile carpet tiles.
But it will be much more powerful than before.
The section code will come from the
Uniclass2 Work results table, which covers
systems (groups 10 to 40, and 50 to 85) and
products (groups 45 and 90), but also all
other object classes (all in group 05):
– R
 egions (subgroup 05-05), e.g. 05-05-55
Residential regions.
– D
 istricts (subgroup 05-10), e.g. 05-10-55
Residential districts.
– C
 omplexes (subgroup 05-15), e.g. 05-15-55
Residential complexes.
– E
 ntities (subgroups 05-25 to 05-65), e.g.
05-55-50 Short-term residential entities.
–A
 ctivities (subgroup 05-75), e.g. 05-75-55
Residential activities.
– S
 paces (subgroup 05-80), e.g. 05-80-55
Residential spaces – exterior.
– E
 lements (subgroup 05-90), e.g. 05-90-25
Wall and barrier elements.
Uniclass2 is nearing the final
version of its first iteration, so
it is time to look at how it might
be used. John Gelder, Head
of content development and
sustainability, explores this issue.
This means that this one table can be used
along the entire project time line. For example,
the elements subgroup (or any object class
groups or subgroups) in the Work results
table can be used for cost planning and CAD
layering. The Work results table also serves
civil and process engineering, so just the one
table is needed on multi-sector projects. Use of
just one table in this way facilitates integration
of the building information model (BIM).
Using just the Work results table throughout
the timeline and for all sectors means that
table codes, including the Work results table
code (WR), do not need to be used.
The object (e.g. clause) codes and titles are
not user-generated. Instead, they derive
from the corresponding Uniclass2 object
class tables. For example, product object
codes and titles derive from the Uniclass2
Products table, and element object codes
and titles derive from the Uniclass2 Elements
table, applying the rules in the Uniclass2
Work results substructure table (e.g. outline
or compositional clauses are numbered as
100s in all sections). This is only possible
because all the corresponding tables in
Uniclass2 are congruent, which they are
not in current Uniclass. This also facilitates
integration of the building information
model (BIM).
The object codes are not derived from
specification clauses, and have much
broader application than just the specification.
If an object is not included in Uniclass2,
the idea is that a user can contact CPI for
a name and code, which will then be added
to the official online version of Uniclass2
for everyone to use.
Mapping
The object classes are designed to map Specification
to each other in a cascade or object
Uniclass2 NBS Create: NBS Create: Uniclass2
hierarchy, an essential component of the
Elements Elements section, Selected values Systems
project building information model (BIM). table codes subsection, clause & table codes
This mapping is not done in Uniclass2, main items
though Uniclass2 is designed specifically
to support it. Rather, the mapping is done Ee-25 WR-05-90-25 WALL AND
in the model itself. This mapping is built (element BARRIER ELEMENTS
into NBS Create, between systems and group) (section)
products (with other mappings to follow as
Element outline
we develop the tool – see below), but the
(subsection)
geometrical part of the model will mirror this
mapping, as should COBie. For example, Ee-25-20 120 External cavity
preconfigured elements in the National BIM (element) walls outline (clause)
Library map to systems. Project mappings
will be identical in the geometry (CAD) and External cavity walls Concrete pad and strip
in the specification, enabling these two Ee-25-20-05 Ss-15-05-15-15
substructure: [...]. (item) foundation system
major parts of the model to link to each other
so that, ultimately, you will be able to author External cavity walls Masonry external wall
Ee-25-20-10 Ss-25-13-50-51
either in either, if you see what I mean. structure: [...]. internal skin system

The mapping that seems to be of most External cavity walls Weatherboarding

Ee-25-20-20 Ss-25-20-95-95
interest is that of Elements-to-Systems, so external skin: [...]. system
it is worth spending a little time explaining
how this will work. I’ll use the NBS Create External cavity walls
Ee-25-20-25 None –
clause structure to illustrate this, but it is internal skin: [...].
important to remember that the CAD files
Sub-elements

External cavity walls Revolving doorset

will hold parallel mappings (as far as the Ee-25-20-30 Ss-25-30-20-70

Systems
accessible openings: [...]. system
objects are modelled in CAD, e.g. at present
objects like individual bricks and cavity ties External cavity walls non- External window
are not modelled). Ee-25-20-35 Ss-25-30-95-28
accessible openings: [...]. system

An element such as an ‘external cavity wall’ External cavity walls

is broken down into its sub-elements, such Ee-25-20-40 None –
external coverings: [...].
as its core fabric, external skin, openings,
coverings and finishes (this layer concept is External cavity walls One-coat plaster
Ee-25-20-42 Ss-25-45-65-58
borrowed from Uniclass table G Elements internal coverings: [...]. system
for buildings, and makes good sense in
geometrical modelling for this type of element External cavity walls Decorative wood stain
Ee-25-20-45 Ss-35-85-60-22
– not all elements are of this type, however). external finishes: [...]. or dye system
These in turn will comprise individual
technical systems, typically executed by a External cavity walls Water-borne paint
Ee-25-20-47 Ss-35-85-60-95
single trade. For example, the core fabric internal finishes: [...]. system
might be a masonry wall system (trade A),
the external skin might be a weatherboarding
system (trade B), and the inner covering
might be a plaster system (trade C).
Painting systems would provide the external Users of NBS Create (and NBS Engineering
and internal finishes (trades D and E, Services) will be familiar with this. The
perhaps). This is expanded in the table. fully developed version of NBS Create
will comprise a chain of compositional
We will treat the sub-elements as keywords mappings (what we call ‘outline’
in the NBS Create element outline clauses, specifications), from Regions-to-Districts
and the systems will be treated as values. The down to Systems-to-Products.
element outline clauses, in other words, map
the elements to their component systems. It is still early days in the development of
Uniclass2, NBS Create and the National
Each of these systems will have its own BIM Library. The concepts, codes and
outline clause, many of which are already in names are subject to change, refinement
NBS Create. These system outline clauses and improvement. If you have any queries
in turn map the system to its component or comments, please get in touch with me.
products, via component keywords such
as ‘Masonry units: [...]’ and ‘Mortar: [...]’. john.gelder@theNBS.com
15–16
NBS Journal 21
Sustainable rehabilitation
A cottage in Weardale
2012
update
NBS Technical Editor and
Architect, John Glen, is restoring
and upgrading a small stone
cottage in a remote part of
County Durham. It is a listed
building, and in an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty,
so whilst the interior will be
much changed, the exterior
must remain virtually unaltered.
Earlier articles in the NBS
Journal (Issue 17, November
2010 and Issue 18, May 2011)
described the thinking behind
the project, and work done by
a contractor in the winter of
2010/11. Here, he recounts
progress over the last 18
months or so and reflects on
the nature of life, the universe
and everything.
The cottage is slowly being transformed
from a neglected, damp and uninsulated
state into a low-energy dwelling for twenty-
first century living. Traditional contractors
for the stone slab roof have been and
gone. Also, by January 2011, the small
builder engaged to give a kickstart with
major structural work had finished, after
a traumatic few weeks of snow and ice.
Budgetary constraints meant that the next
phase would proceed on a DIY basis.
Externally, the builder had installed a 5,000
litre underground rainwater tank at the
bottom of a steep slope, below a retaining
wall of gabions filled with stone salvaged
from the site. Lovingly executed, it resembles
a dry stone wall in a cage. The tank had
been covered with a layer of soil but needed
additional ballasting to prevent flotation.
As groundwater levels are always near the
surface, there is a potential 5 tonne uplift
when the tank is empty. The ballasting was
used as an opportunity to create a gravelled
terrace framed by the gabion wall and a low-
level dry stone wall. Two underemployed
young people with an interest in the project
helped to barrow in large quantities of
hardcore and gravel. More importantly,
they also became self-taught experts in
the art of dry stone walling. Material was
freely available on site and the wall was
competently built in a sinuous curve,
containing the gravel terrace, contributing
to the 5 tonne ballast requirement, and
blending perfectly with the surroundings.
Another external job was to get some paint
on the doors and window frames, down to
bare wood here and there. The considerable
rainfall in upper Weardale meant that much
of this essential work had to be done under
improvised shelters of cardboard and
polythene. Even when the weather was fine,
the local midge population seemed hell-bent
on dying in the fresh gloss paint.
Internally, the bare stone walls are being lined
with a breather membrane, PIR insulation
and plasterboard. Reflecting the DIY culture,
dryline metal studding cut with tinsnips
avoided fiddly carpentry, whilst taped and
filled plasterboard joints meant no plastering.
It has been a challenge working out how
to support multiple layers of insulation and
also provide a firm grid of metal studs and
noggings for plasterboard fixing, both in the
vertical plane and in the slope of a roof. And
it gets even more complicated when trying to
avoid cold bridging, for example at door and
window reveals. Supply of materials needs
to be carefully arranged. Builders’ merchants
deliver to the side of the road, but then large
sheets of plasterboard or insulation must be
manhandled onto a car roof rack and then
down a steep and rough track and across a
narrow bridge. It can be tricky in high winds
and heavy rain. On ‘Thunder Thursday’ in

June 2012, the rain was so heavy that the
track turned into a fast-flowing river and was
largely washed away. A local lad with an
excavator had to be called out to reinstate it.
One room is now complete, with advanced
features like skirtings, window blinds, and
paint on the walls. So it is now possible to
stay at the property in reasonable comfort
whilst working on the other rooms. The
Wiring Regulations have been consulted
on the routing of first fix power and lighting
cables, and ducts are in place for water
and heating pipework. Progress is leisurely
because of the remoteness of the site, the
difficulty in transporting materials and, well,
getting on with the rest of life.
Whilst the cottage has electricity and a
connection to a private sewage treatment
unit, water supply has always been an issue.
An early decision was made to use rainwater
collection for the water supply, hence the 5,000
litre tank, which currently supplies a single
cold tap. A borehole had proved impracticable,
and there seemed little prospect of getting
mains water, as the owner of the land
between the house and the main road would
not give consent. So the tank was installed,
and research progressed into treatment to
drinking water standard. This is relatively
straightforward using, e.g. ultraviolet or
reverse osmosis, but there is no residual effect
as there is with the chlorine in mains water. It is
therefore best to avoid storage of water after
treatment, which points towards a pressure-
boosted system with instantaneous water
heating. This was beginning to look quite
expensive, whilst, a few years on by now,
the land ownership had changed and it was
possible to investigate a pipeline for mains
water. However, this will also be costly with
200 m of rugged hillside and a 4 m wide
stream to cross. Discussions are currently
underway with other waterless neighbours
to see if they will share the cost.
Five years into the project, pangs of self-
doubt occasionally creep in. Why did we
ever take this on? What will we do with it
when it’s finished? Actually, will it ever be
finished? At the outset, the idea of a country
retreat seemed a good idea. There was no
hard-nosed business plan, but the long-term
intention was to let the completed cottage
for holidays, or on a longer-term tenancy.
Meanwhile, the refurbishment would be a
challenging but enjoyable project. We might
live there for a while in affinity with nature,
maybe even in partial self-sufficiency,
growing our own vegetables and so on. Not
that you could grow many vegetables in stiff
clay on a rabbit-infested north-facing slope!
For now, gardening consists mostly of an
annual brush-cutting to reduce waist-high
random vegetation to ankle level.
By chance I came across a book written in the
1970s1 by a couple who left a suburban life
in Bristol to start a self-sufficient simple life in
their ‘Hovel in the hills’ in Snowdonia. There
were many parallels with our own project.
Thick stone walls, stunning views, amazing
wildlife, impossible weather conditions,
underestimating virtually everything,
constantly feeling insecure and short of
money and time. A defeated, neglected air
about the place that says ‘It’s hard to scratch
a living here’. Our neighbours are either
living on benefits or have a prosperity that
comes from elsewhere, such as well-paid
consultancy or an internet business. They
buy their food in the supermarket, burn coal
or bottled gas, and don’t care much about
the environment or self-sufficiency.
The Snowdonia couple, despite atrocious
conditions, had grown all the fruit and veg
they needed. But it took all their time and
energy – and they couldn’t bear to rear and kill
livestock so had to barter for meat. They had
a primitive wind turbine, they made do and
mended. In their own words ‘We do almost
everything for ourselves – and very little for
anyone else’. They enjoyed their isolation but
also concluded that it is a basic human need
to be a useful member of a community. In
the end, they observed, the true ‘simple life’
would be to live in a well-appointed town flat
on independent means, and eat out. Then you
could muse all day on a poem or a painting.
But they were different people for having
tried. And a semi-derelict dwelling and plot
of land had been saved for someone else to
enjoy in their own way. Likewise, in our own
case, it is hoped that in a few years’ time
we can look back and recognize something
similar. We will know by then if it was simply
an expensive hobby that was a diversion from
everyday life, or a significant step forward,
creating something important and worthwhile
for the next generation. Probably a bit of both.
1 West, Elizabeth. Hovel in the hills:
an account of the simple life. Corgi 1978
john.glen@theNBS.com
17–18
NBS Journal 21
Coordination
Coordinating
Common Arrangement, Uniclass,
NBS and Rules of Measurement
Introduction
In the construction industry, Collaboration is
the key. Over a period of time, a number of
reports have been issued, most notably by
Egan and Latham, Task Forces and Working
Groups set up, while many pages have
been written on the subject. For over 25
years, successive Governments have been
seeking to reduce construction costs by an
elusive ‘20 %’. In doing this, a variety of means
have been employed and proposed, the
most recent of which is Building Information
Modelling (BIM). One thing which has been
consistent throughout this time, however,
has been the ‘Common Arrangement of
Work Sections’ classification (CAWS).
CAWS is maintained by the Construction
Project Information Committee (CPIC) – a
‘pan industry’ body which is sponsored by and
provides representation to the major industry
institutions – including Architects, Surveyors,
Engineers, Clients and Contractors
organizations. Its purpose is to promote
and support collaborative information
exchange in our industry. CPIC developed
CAWS in response to Government research
on quality of building, which established
that the quality of information passed from
design office to site was a key factor in the
quality of the final outcome. At the time,
the commonly used library classification,
CISfb – a system which developed from
‘Construction Industry’ and the Swedish
‘Samarbetskomitten for Byggnadsfragor’
(committee for building investigation),
wasn’t considered comprehensive enough
for specification and pricing, particularly on
the mechanical and electrical services side.
Some readers may not be conversant
with CAWS, but they will be familiar with
documents that follow its template, such
as SMM7 and NBS, as well as many of
the Architects’ and Builders’ price books –
Spons, Laxtons and Wessex, for example.
It has been recognized for some time that
existing CAWS doesn’t lend itself too well to
computerized applications. For a start, the
alphanumeric system is limited to 26 ‘top level’
headings, (or 24 if you discount ‘O’ and ‘I’).
Uniclass
CAWS has been incorporated into another
classification system – ‘Uniclass’, also
developed by CPIC. Uniclass is the UK
implementation of BS ISO 12006-2. This
has fifteen tables but two which describe
Work Sections; one for Building (J, which
corresponds with CAWS) and one for
Civil Engineering (K, which aligns to the
Civil Engineering Standard Method of
Measurement, CESMM).
Uniclass also has a table for Building
Elements (G). CAWS is not ordered
elementally, so is not appropriate for object
naming in the software models. The software
vendors, however, typically use Uniclass
table G for this, but unfortunately there is not
a simple link from table G to table J (CAWS).
CPIC decided some time ago that Uniclass
had to change; this is explained in an article
by Sarah Delany, CPIC secretary, which
appeared on the NBS website in 2008:
www.theNBS.com/topics/DesignSpecification/
articles/CPICandUniclass.asp
Current position
Having recognized the need for change,
CPIC has instigated a consultation
procedure on ‘Uniclass 2’ – which is proposed
as the successor to Uniclass. There are a
number of significant changes anticipated,
most notably the change in emphasis
to a ‘work results’ classification for the
Architectural part of the work section table.
These are explained in more detail on the
CPIC website: www.cpic.org.uk/en/uniclass
At the same time, RICS (which is represented
on CPIC) has been undertaking its own
project to rationalize and simplify the rules
of measurement for building works.
NBS Technical Author, Roland
Finch, sheds light on changes
to classification and rules of
measurement. Are we heading
for coordination or conflict?
RICS has now launched two of the three
volumes that comprise its ‘New’ Rules of
Measurement (NRM). Volume 2 of NRM is
due to supercede SMM7 with effect from
1 January 2013. As part of this work, NRM
has developed its own indexing, which is a
departure from both CAWS and Uniclass,
and is intended to make it easier to map
the document rules to other classification
systems, thereby giving it more international
appeal. At the same time, it has taken the
opportunity of subdividing some sections for
ease of use and greater clarity, so whereas
SMM7 had 22 sections, NRM 2 has 41. It
has also been aligned to the Standard Form
of Cost Analysis, produced by BCIS.
‘Classification’ or ‘Measurement’ rules
It is important to recognize at this point that
NRM is not a classification system in itself;
it is a set of measurement rules, and one of
the purposes of the new layout of NRM is
that it is designed to map onto a variety of
different classification systems, including
CAWS and Uniclass.
The National Building Specification (NBS) is
delivered through a number of specification
products, each with slightly different formats.
NBS is not a set of rules; it is an information
template, commonly referred to as a Master
Specification. However, each individual part
of the specification is aligned directly to a
classification system. Currently, most of the
existing NBS specification templates are
aligned to CAWS, but during 2011, a new
product, NBS Create, was launched. This
uses the proposed Uniclass 2 classification
as its base.
So how do NBS and NRM relate? In many
ways, the same as they always did. In moving
away from CAWS, however, the RICS NRM
has made it necessary to map between the
two where other project documentation has
been prepared in that format. For example, in
general terms, Masonry, which was section
‘F’ in SMM7 is now section ‘14’ in NRM 2.
Concrete work, however, which was previously
measured in CAWS Group E, will now be in
NRM 2 Section 11, 12 or 13 (in NRM, concrete
work has been further subdivided into sections
for ‘in-situ’, ‘composite’ and ‘precast’).
NRM anticipates that Bills of Quantities may
now be codified in one of three ways:
1. ‘Elemental’, using the NRM 1 (BCIS SFCA)
categories, e.g.
– Group element 0: Facilitating works.
– Group element 1: Substructure.
– Group element 2: Superstructure.
– Group element 3: Internal finishes.
– Etc.
2. Work sections, using the headings from
NRM 2, e.g.
– 1. Preliminaries.
– 2. Off-site manufactured materials,
components and buildings.
– 3. Demolitions.
– 4. Alterations, repairs and conservation 125.
– 5. Excavating and filling.
– Etc.
3. Package based, depending on the scope
of work envisaged. e.g.
– Building No. 1.
– Building No. 2.
– Building No. 3.
– Building No. 4.
– Etc.
The measurement rules will be broadly the
same in each case, however. For example,
concrete work will still be measured in cubic
metres, and brickwork will still be measured
in square metres, with forming cavities
and insulation included in the description.
The major differences will occur when
sourcing the specification that goes with
that measurement. Because there is no
CAWS/ SMM7
A Preliminaries
B Complete buildings/ structures/ units
C Existing buildings and services
D Groundwork
E In situ concrete/ large precast concrete
F Masonry
G Structural carcassing metal/ timber
H Cladding/ covering
J Waterproofing
classified specification information in NRM
format, Bills of quantities will still need to
refer to the old system; (CAWS/Uniclass), or,
in due course the ‘new’ system; (Uniclass 2).
The example below is a comparison of
some of the section headings used in
CAWS, NRM 2 and Uniclass 2.
It can be seen that there are some notable
differences in description and terminology,
and there are also changes in scope. Some
of these appear quite striking, but may only
be due to terminology. In addition, it can be
seen that the groupings are no longer in the
same order in each classification – so there
is no obvious direct mapping at this level.
But in principle it is no different to the current
system using SMM7, where work specified in
one section may still be measured according
to rules in other sections. For example, Site/
Street Furniture is measured under SMM7
using rules from Section N, but its properties
are currently specified in CAWS section Q50.
In NRM 2, the same items would be measured
in section 32, while Uniclass 2 requires them
to be specified in section 35-35-30.
Summary
It is an often and well-repeated maxim that
the one certainty is change. There are a
number of drivers of this change and in this
instance the main one is the need to support
Building Information Modelling.
Some readers may recall the introduction
of the Coordinated Project Information
initiative which led to the formation of CPIC
and the introduction of SMM7 in 1988.
Others may recall that it took over 15 years
to get to that point. Of course, differing
classification systems is nothing new. Many
architectural libraries still use CI/SfB – It has
NRM 2
1 Preliminaries
2 O
 ff-site manufactured materials,
components and buildings
3 Demolitions
4 Alterations, repairs and conservation
5 Excavating and filling
6 Ground remediation and soil stabilisation
7 Piling
8 Underpinning
9 D
 iaphragm walls and embedded retaining
walls
a number of commercial users, including
RIBA Product Selector. So while no single
classification is in common use, there is an
ongoing task to link the various rules and
systems. One advantage that we now have,
of course, is the use of computer applications,
which hopefully will make the process quicker.
The RIBA’s research and innovation group,
together with several industry partners,
are developing tools to allow instant
mapping and linkage between the various
classifications, see www.bimgateway.co.uk
For end users it can be a bit of a chore to
compare systems, and decide which one to
use. The problem is that although there may
be substantial areas of overlap, they are
often designed for different purposes.
Conclusion
There’s not quite a fight for global ‘dominance’
that we’ve seen in other areas of technology,
VHS versus Betamax, or Microsoft Windows vs
Apple Macintosh, or even Apple vs Samsung
in the mobile phone arena, for example.
Nevertheless, it can be seen that even those
technologies can coexist, with plenty of
designed applications to enhance and improve
connections between them. Although change
may be certain, it’s also true that it takes time,
not only to implement, but also to get used to.
Uniclass 2 is in the consultation stage, while
RICS NRM is still being ‘bedded in’. It’s
likely that there will be changes in both in the
foreseeable future. It’s also worth noting that
the mobile phone industry – often held up
as a leader of innovation – has taken nearly
two decades just to agree on a common
connector for chargers. It is the intention of
all parties to improve significantly on that.
roland.finch@theNBS.com
UNICLASS 2 ‘RESULTS TABLE’
00 Project management
05 R
 egions, districts, infrastructure, facilities
and buildings
10 Preparatory systems
15 General structural systems
20 Roof, floor and paving systems
25 Wall and barrier systems
30 F
 ixed access, tunnel, tower and vessel
systems
35 F
 ittings, furnishings and equipment (ff&e),
signage and general finishing systems
40 F
 lora and fauna systems fabric, fittings,
furnishings & equipment

Please contact us
NBS Customer Centre NBS Software Support NBS Training
0845 456 9594 0845 456 9594 0845 456 9594
info@theNBS.com support@theNBS.com training@theNBS.com
Your free to use source of BIM objects.
Up-to-date free resource enabling construction
professionals to locate and download high quality
generic and proprietary BIM objects.
www.nationalBIMlibrary.com
NBS 0845 456 9594
The Old Post Office +44 191 232 9594
St Nicholas Street (outside the UK)
Newcastle upon Tyne F 0191 232 5714
NE1 1RH www.theNBS.com