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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Library Twitter Welcomes it’s 200th Follower
Over two hundred people are now following the Library on Twitter! This landmark number was reached recently and continues to grow daily with new followers clicking the ‘Follow’ button to keep abreast of all developments in the Library.
Our Twitter account [07/02/12]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Two new Journal Titles in IEEE Xplore
IEEE Xplore have added two new journals to their collection: Tsinghua Science & Technology, and Journal of Systems Engineering & Electronics
IEEE is pleased to announce the addition of two new English-language journals to IEEE Xplore from two prestigious technology organizations in China.
Tsinghua Science and Technology (TST)
Published by the Tsinghua University Press -- Find articles on up-to-date scientific achievements in computer science, electronic engineering, and information technology.
Journal of Systems Engineering and Electronics (JSEE)
Published by Beijing Institute of Aerospace Information-- Read about trends in science, technology, and the theoretical and practical aspects of systems engineering, electronics, and related research areas.
[26/01/12]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Springer launches SpringerLink mobile app for iPhone
Springer has launched the SpringerLink mobile app for iPhone and iPod Touch. It is free to download from the iTunes App Store providing access to the science platform Springerlink
Springerlink contains articles and chapters from over 2,000 peer-reviewed journals and 49,000 books. In total SpringerLink is offering over 5.4 million documents spanning every area of science, technology and medicine. The University of Ulster subscribes to all the Springer journals, and over 700 of the electronic book titles.
[09/01/12]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Early Journal Content Now Available
The Mathematical Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 1836-1869 are now available in our electronic journals listings.
Nearly 500,000 articles from over 200 different journal titles have been made freely available in the early journal content release in JSTOR. Among the many interesting titles of interest is the Mathematical Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 1836-1869. For a full list of journals and dates available, click here .
[06/01/12]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New IEEE Release Update
The most recent IEEE Xplore release includes a highly requested, enhanced search history feature called "New Search HistoryBETA".
The new Search HistoryBETA replaces the "Searches for this Session" feature and includes enhanced search history recording capabilities and the ability to combine searches.
Other enhancements included in this update are:
- The current search history clears records after you close
your browser. The new search history stores your records
across sessions to your personal account for later viewing.
You must login to your personal account (registration is free)
to use the new Search HistoryBETA.
- More user-friendly display
- Post-search refinements are captured and displayed
- The last 50 searches are stored
- Each record has an individual date stamp and shows if the
search was done across metadata or metadata and full-text
- Searches can now be combined
To access the new Search HistoryBETA, login with your personal IEEE account (registration is free if you do not have one), turn search history ON in your preferences, then click any of the Search History links on the homepage or search results page to view and combine your searches.
[17/11/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
NBS Learning Channels Becomes NBS TV
NBS TV is the new name for what used to be called NBS Learning Channels. It is an online video resource servicing built environment and engineering professionals.
NBS TV covers a broad range of programmes, including case studies, technical guidance and interviews with leading industry figures. It covers four main subject areas:
Architecture
Civil Engineering
Planning
Surveying
To get access to this very useful service, you need to contact your Engineering Subject Librarians for further information. The service, which used to operate using the Athens Access Authentication System, now has a new way to login.
[20/10/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Knovel Kicks off the 2011 University Challenge
Today, Knovel kicks off the 2011 University Challenge, a fun contest for engineering students to test their knowledge and–oh yea–score an iPad, cash prizes and other cool stuff!
So if you are a currently an engineering or science student, you can play via Facebook or online at www.knoveluniversitychallenge.com. If you can correctly answer 3 technical questions across core disciplines, you my friend, are a winner. Aside from scoring cool prizes, you’ll gain experience using core research tools.
Take the University Challenge Today!
*Knovel contains hundreds of online full text books in the areas of Civil Engineering & Construction Materials, Environment & Environmental Engineering, Safety & Industrial Hygiene, and ASM International Handbooks Online.
[20/09/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Safari Celebrates 10th Birthday!
Safari is ten years old, and you can see how much has changed over the years in this timeline.
University of Ulster Library has now been subscribing to Safari since 2007, and in that time it has been extremely popular with staff and students, delivering full text books to users from anywhere, 24/7. Keep checking Safari as it is being continually updated with new content.
[15/09/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
IEEE Xplore reaches 3 Million Article Milestone
IEEE is pleased to announce that the three millionth online technical document has been released to researchers via the IEEE Xplore digital library.
This demonstrates how IEEE Xplore has grown significantly in recent years. This milestone follows many new content additions to IEEE Xplore, several enhancements and upgrades, as well as record-breaking document downloads that total more than seven million per month.
The milestone document, "Protecting Smart Grid Automation Systems Against Cyberattacks," is an early access article published in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.
Authors of the paper are Dong Wei, and Yan Lu, two IEEE members from Siemens; Mohsen Jafari, an IEEE member from Rutgers University; Paul M. Skare, an IEEE member from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Kenneth Rohde from the Cyber Security Research and Development at the Idaho National Laboratory.
[08/09/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Books Added to Safari
A number of new computing titles have been added to the Safari eBook collection.
JavaScript Web Applications by Alex MacCaw
Microsoft® Visual Basic® 2010 Developer's Handbook by Klaus Löffelmann
Learning PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript by Robin Nixon
CMMI: Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement, (3rd edition) by
M.B Chrissis
You can access these books via the Portal > Learning Resources Tab > Databases > Safari and search by the book title.
[30/08/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Encyclopedia of Computer Science in ACM Digital Library
The 4th edition of Wiley's Encyclopedia of Computer Science is available in full text in ACM Digital Library.
The Encyclopedia, edited by Anthony Ralston, Edwin D. Reilly, and David Hemmendinger, was published in 2003.
[09/08/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Inspec Reaches 12 Million Record Milestone
Inspec, the leading bibliographic database in the fields of electronics, physics, computer science and engineering, reaches 12 million records in June 2011. This achievement marks a significant milestone- making the Inspec database one of the richest sources for information in its fields.
“For researchers and engineers, the ability to search Inspec and find such timely articles is important to ensure accuracy and speed of their own projects,” says Daniel Smith, Head of Academic Publishing, the IET. “At 12 million records, vetted and abstracted by subject specialists, users can also rest-assured they are getting both the quality and breadth of coverage they need.”
Inspec, produced by the IET, is available to University of Ulster staff and students via Engineering Village, where you can search Compendex, Referex (eBooks) and other sources of information across a wide variety of engineering-related subject areas.
[17/06/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
VDE Verlag Conference Proceedings now in IEEE Xplore
We now have unlimited access to the VDE Verlag conference proceedings in IEEE Xplore. This includes 3,100 english language papers from 20+ annual conference titles from the German Electrical Engineering Society (VDE), with 1,000 new articles being added every year.
For more information about VDE Verlag Conference Proceedings, please visit www.ieee.org/go/vde.
Other improvements to the IEEE/IET Online Library include:
- Sort search results by "Most Cited":
This upgrade includes a new feature to IEEE Xplore that will allow you to sort your search results by "Most Cited". Also, you will also see the article's citation count in the article metadata. Find articles of high impact quickly with this new feature.
- See more search results with scitopia.org:
Scitopia.org provides a federated search of content from 15 leading scholarly society publishers in science and technology . Now, you can quickly and easily perform your search in IEEE Xplore and also see further relevant results from scitopia.org based on your search terms.
[16/06/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
eBook Survey - Prize Winner Announced
Congratulations to Matthew Gowan from the School of Engineering, whose name has been picked from the many entries received for the eBook Survey.
Matthew has won a Guylian Easter egg for completing the survey. His name was drawn randomly from a large number of submissions.
Congratulations to Matthew, and many thanks to all the people who took part in the eBook survey. The results, when analysed, will help to inform our eBook strategy.
[07/06/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Subscription to Institute of Physics (IoP) Journals
Electronic access to the IoP 1999-2006 Collections archive has now been made available.
The IoP Journal Archive 1999-2006 bridges the gap in content between the IoP Journal Archive 1874-1998, and IoP's NESLi2 package which covers the last 10 years worth of material.
A full list of journals we now have access to can be viewed on the IoP website. Login through the University Portal for full-text access, or via our Electronic Journals finder.
[26/05/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New IET Journals Now Available
IET Journals announces the arrival of two new journals, available via IEEE Xplore.
The IET Electrical Systems in Transportation and the IET Wireless Sensor Systems expands the IET collection to now include 22 research journals along with the internationally renowned Electronics Letters and Micro & Nano Letters.
IET Electrical Systems in Transportation - aimed at all aspects of electrical power systems in modern transport applications including generation, storage, distribution and utilization. The scope extends to all sectors of transportation: aerospace, marine (including sub-sea), automotive or land-based and rail.
IET Wireless Sensor Systems - aimed at the growing field of wireless sensor networks and distributed systems, which has been expanding rapidly in recent years and is evolving into a multi-billion dollar industry.
The journals program covers the key areas of scientific practice, containing original and review papers relating to all disciplines in electrical, electronics, computing, control, biomedical and communications technologies.
[19/05/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Wiley Launch MaterialsViews Website
MaterialsViews is a great place to keep up-to-date with the latest cutting edge news and features from a leading publisher in the field.
What is MaterialsViews.com?
MaterialsViews.com helps scientists save time and keep up-to-date with the
latest research by reporting on the most interesting and relevant breakthroughs,
selected by the editors of some of the top journals in the field.
Channels for hot
subject areas—including nanotechnology, polymers, energy, electronics, photonics, surfaces, and more—let scientists focus on stories most relevant to
them.
In addition, the site features job opportunities and upcoming events.
A
selection of the most interesting articles published on MaterialsViews.com is
also printed in several Wiley journals.
[12/05/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
eBook Survey - Jordanstown Computing Students
We are interested in your use of eBooks. Please Click here to take a short survey
Do you use eBooks? We are conducting a short survey in the use of electronic books within the School of Computing and Mathematics in Jordanstown. Please fill out the survey using the link above, or look in your email to access it at your convenience.
Thank you for your cooperation.
[05/04/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Guide to Nanotechnology Internet Resources
The latest issue of Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship includes a guide to internet resources for nanotechnology.
The purpose of this webliography is to direct readers to online resources about this broad, far-reaching and expanding science. The majority of the information is aimed toward college students, librarians, and researchers, with a few general resources for those unfamiliar with, but curious about, nanotechnology.
[10/03/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Wrox Press Join Safari Online
Wrox Press, a leading publisher in technology-related books, have linked up with Safari.
Wrox™ Press, an imprint of Wiley and a leader in the world of technology-related book publishing, announced today an agreement with Safari® Books Online, the leading on-demand digital library for technology, digital media and business professionals, to publish Wrox Press books in the Safari® Books Online library.
Within weeks, a total of 307 Wrox Press titles will be available, including all of the recent front-list titles, with additional new titles added as they are published.
If anyone is interested in adding Wrox titles to Safari, please contact Mick Carragher for more information.
[02/03/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Engineering Subject Centre Student Award 2011
The Engineering Subject Centre is offering the opportunity for all engineering undergraduate students to submit opinions and experiences in a 1000–1500 word essay.
Engineers Without Borders and the Engineering Subject Centre are jointly offering the opportunity for all students studying a discipline related to engineering at undergraduate level in a UK higher education institution to submit opinions and experiences in a 1000–1500 word essay. There will be a prize of Ł250 for the best essay and Ł50 for two runners-up.
The essays will be assessed against the following criteria and should:
* show a critical understanding of the issues
* give the reader an overview of the factors that have formed your opinions
* provide an original and individual account related to your university experience
* be of sufficient quality to be exposed to a national audience (well structured, with accurate use of grammar, spelling and punctuation)
Essays should not exceed the 1500 word limit and should be submitted by email in Microsoft Word format to kate@engsc.ac.uk
Entrants should also include the following information with their submission:
* Name
* Degree programme
* Department and institution
* Year of study
* Term-time address
* Home address
* Telephone number
* Email address
The deadline for entries is 28th February 2011.
[25/02/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
British Standards Test New Search Interface
The British Standards database has introduced a beta test single search box with more relevant results ranking.
What’s different about the British Standards OnLine (BSOL) search “beta”?
The first thing you’ll notice is that there’s just one box. BSOL have been working hard to make searching simpler and now you can enter either standard numbers or keywords into the same search box, with improved results for both.
BSOL have also made lots of improvements to the relevance of search results. It’s now easier than ever to find draft standards and standards with awkward numbers, such as where the standard number could also be a “part number” or “publication year”.
How do I give you feedback, or find out more?
British Standards have created a very quick feedback form so you can tell them if you found BSOL “beta” search to work better for you than the existing BSOL search. You’ll see “Give us some feedback” links by the “beta” search box and on the “beta” search results page. It’ll take just one minute to tell BSOL what you think.
[24/02/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
British Standards Downtime
British Standards will be unavailable on Saturday 26th February 2011 from 09:00-15:00 (UK Time).
To allow for upgrades to our systems, scheduled maintenance will be taking place on Saturday 26th February 2011 from 09:00-15:00 (UK Time).
During this time BSOL will not be available.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
[24/02/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
The Next Generation of IEEE Research Articles
IEEE Xplore is excited to announce the launch of HTML Content Beta, providing the framework to deliver full-text content in an interactive HTML format.
HTML full-text access in IEEE Xplore gives users the ability to take advantage of more robust capabilities:
* Scan and interpret articles in under 60 seconds using "At-A-Glance"
* Navigate between sections of long articles with intuitive floating navigation
* Effortlessly explore text, figures, equations and multimedia files
* Quickly view and copy mathematical equations, expressions and formulas
* Enhance your research with "Articles of Influence" reading recommendations
Once you have tested this new feature, be sure to fill out the survey to provide your feedback.
[18/02/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ACM Digital Library Launches New Interface
The ACM Digital Library, the flagship product of the Association for Computing Machinery, has undergone a significant update. This is the first major upgrade since the initial launch of the ACM DL more than a decade ago.
The most immediate and notable changes are the rebranding of the Portal as The ACM Digital Library and the complete integration of the Guide to Computing Literature bibliographic database into the Digital Library itself.
The changes create a simplified and more intuitive experience when searching for ACM and non-ACM articles through a single search interface. Among the long list of improvements is the redesigned citation pages, and detailed bibliometric data for every author and article contained in both the Digital Library and Guide.
For more information on the changes made to ACM Digital Library, please see their press release.
[19/01/11]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Content Updates - ASM Handbooks Online
ASM completed four quarterly updates to ASM Handbooks Online in 2010, adding 143 new and revised articles to the series.
The updates included the complete content of ASM Handbook volumes 22A and 22B on modeling and simulation plus online-exclusive updates on casting technology and beryllium alloys.
ASM Handbooks Online 2010 updates
ASM Handbook, Volume 22A: Fundamentals of Modeling for Metals Processing.
The first in a two-volume set on modeling and simulation as it applies to metals processing. Edited by Dave Furrer and Lee Semiatin, the volumes provide a comprehensive reference resource for materials scientists and engineers, modelers, and systems designers. Volume 22A contains 60 articles that cover the fundamentals of using computational models to describe the complex interdependencies of processing, microstructure, properties, and behavior of metals – an emerging field known as integrated computational materials engineering (ICME). ICME can be used, for example, to design cast aluminum alloy engine blocks beginning with quantum mechanics first principles!
ASM Handbook, Volume 22B: Metals Process Simulation
This Handbook provides insight into the integration of modeling for simulation of manufacturing processing. Topics in this volume will be familiar to Handbook users: phase diagrams, casting and solidification, forming, machining, powder metallurgy, joining, heat treatment, and design. This volume addresses these subjects in the interdisciplinary context of modeling, simulation, and computational engineering.
Casting Design Update
The ASM Handbook Online second quarter 2010 update focused expanded the coverage of ASM Handbook, Volume 15: Casting. Twelve new articles were added in two new sections, “Process Design” and “Design and Geometry.”
Beryllium Update
The third quarter 2010 update added 28 new articles on beryllium and beryllium alloys, based on a body of work initiated by Kenneth A. Walsh and completed by a team of researchers from leading universities and U.S. government research facilities. Beryllium exhibits unique and advantageous properties as a primary material and as an alloying addition, and this comprehensive coverage is intended to serve as a guide to beryllium, its history, and its chemical and physical properties. Because this content does not belong to an existing volume in the series, it was added to a new “section” in the online product, “ASM Handbook Nonferrous Alloys.”
Future Updates
Under the direction of the Handbook Committee, small teams of subject matter experts are evaluating existing Handbook content across the entire series as it relates their specialty. Each team organizes the existing content into a cohesive outline, suggests new articles, and recommends articles for elimination. These teams are content “strike forces,” able to react to new developments and to complete content modules much more quickly than previous “full volume” projects. More than 20 new sections are in development that will be added to ASM Handbooks Online as they are completed.
[11/01/11]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New eBooks Added to Knovel Library
A substantial number of new eBooks are available in the fields of civil and environmental engineering, construction materials and safety in Knovel Library.
Here is a full list of the new titles available from anywhere via the University Portal:
Building Construction Handbook - Incorporating Current Building and Construction Regulations (8th Edition)
Building Information Modeling - Planning and Managing Construction Projects with 4D CAD and Simulations
Cathodic Protection (2nd Edition)
Cold Regions Pavement Engineering
Construction Dewatering and Groundwater Control - New Methods and Applications (3rd Edition)
Construction Operations Manual of Policies and Procedures
Electrical Safety Code Manual - A Plain Language Guide to National Electrical Code, OSHA, and NFPA 70E
Guide to the Use of Materials in Waters
Highway Engineering Handbook - Building and Rehabilitating the Infrastructure (3rd Edition)
Ice Engineering - Engineering and Design (EM 1110-2-1612)
Infrastructure Planning Handbook - Planning, Engineering, and Economics
Design: In situ Thermal Remediation - Engineering and Design (EM 1110-1-4015)
Drinking Water Quality (2nd Edition)
Environmental Statistics: Environmental Quality - Engineering and Design (EM 1110-1-4014)
Handbook of Environmental Engineering Calculations (2nd Edition)
Multi-Phase Extraction - Engineering and Design (EM 1110-1-4010)
Safety and Health Aspects of HTRW Remediation Technologies - Engineering and Design (EM 1110-1-4007)
Soil Vapor Extraction and Bioventing - Engineering and Design (EM 1110-1-4001)
BP Process Safety Series - Confined Space Entry
BP Process Safety Series - Control of Work (2nd Edition)
BP Process Safety Series - Hazardous Substances in Refineries
BP Process Safety Series - Hazards of Air and Oxygen (8th Edition)
BP Process Safety Series - Hazards of Electricity and Static Electricity (6th Edition)
BP Process Safety Series - Hazards of Oil Refining Distillation Units
BP Process Safety Series - Hazards of Steam (4th Edition)
BP Process Safety Series - Hazards of Water (8th Edition)
BP Process Safety Series - LNG Fire Protection and Emergency Response (2nd Edition)
BP Process Safety Series - Liquid Hydrocarbon Tank Fires, Prevention and Response (4th Edition)
BP Process Safety Series - Safe Furnace and Boiler Firing (4th Edition)
Drinking Water Quality (2nd Edition)
Electrical Safety Code Manual - A Plain Language Guide to National Electrical Code, OSHA, and NFPA 70E
Guidelines for Process Safety Acquisition Evaluation and Post Merger Integration
Guidelines for Vapor Cloud Explosion, Pressure Vessel Burst, BLEVE and Flash Fire Hazards (2nd Edition)
Hazardous Materials Compliance Manual
Hazardous Materials Regulations Guide
Management of Persons Contaminated with Radionuclides: Scientific and Technical Bases (Report No. 161), Volume 2
Managing Indoor Air Quality (4th Edition)
Practical Approach to Hazard Identification for Operations and Maintenance Workers
Radiation Dose Reconstruction - Principles and Practices: (Report No. 163)
Biologically Inspired Textiles
EM Detection of Concealed Targets
Atlas of Stress-Strain Curves (2nd Edition)
Atlas of Time-Temperature Diagrams for Irons and Steels
Handbook of Corrosion Data (2nd Edition)
Heat Treater\'s Guide - Practices and Procedures for Irons and Steels (2nd Edition)
Properties of Aluminum Alloys - Fatigue Data and the Effects of Temperature, Product Form, and Processing
[09/12/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Compendex Database Milestone
Compendex, the primary database for engineering resources, now has over 12 million records.
Since its creation in 1970, Compendex has offered the broadest coverage of significant engineering literature. Compendex now covers over 6,000 sources every year, originating from more than 60 countries.
Over the years, the database has steadily expanded to where it is today, with over 12.6 million records. In 2010 alone, 91,547 new records were added from January to early November, and Compendex is on the way to hit the 13 million mark by mid 2011.
Yet one thing hasn't changed over the years: Compendex's commitment to quality. Every record is carefully selected and indexed to ensure a comprehensive source of quality, engineering-specific literature that engineering students and professionals can rely on.
[02/12/10]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
eCommerce Books added to Safari
In response to recent requests, a number of titles relating to e-commerce have been added to Safari.
E-commerce titles, and books relating to user interface design for websites have been added, including the following titles:
The Principles of Beautiful Web Design
Django 1.2 e-commerce
Designing with the Mind in Mind: Simple Guide to Understanding User Interface Design Rules
Adobe® Dreamweaver® CS5 with PHP: Training from the Source
Adobe® Dreamweaver® CS5 Bible
WordPress 2.9 e-Commerce
PHP 5 e-commerce Development
eCommerce: Formulation of Strategy
Web Security, Privacy & Commerce
Designing Systems for Internet Commerce
Managing Business with Electronic Commerce: Issues and Trends
The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build & Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business, Second Edition
Effortless E-Commerce with PHP and MySQL
User Interface Design for Programmers
Designing for Interaction: Creating Innovative Applications and Devices, Second Edition
User Interface Design for Programmers
User Interface Design for Mere Mortals
Designing for Interaction: Creating Innovative Applications and Devices, Second Edition
Forms that Work: Designing Web Forms for Usability
Designing with the Mind in Mind: Simple Guide to Understanding User Interface Design Rules
GUI Bloopers 2.0: Common User Interface Design Don’ts and Dos
[25/11/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Book Titles Added to Safari
A large number of new books have been added to the Safari collection in recent weeks.
New Titles include:
SQL: Visual QuickStart Guide, Third Edition
Agile Game Development with Scrum
Scaling Lean & Agile Development: Thinking and Organizational Tools for Large-Scale Scrum
Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum
CMMI® SCAMPISM Distilled: Appraisals for Process Improvement
Visual Basic® 2010 Unleashed
Sams Teach Yourself Visual Basic 2010 in 24 Hours Complete Starter Kit
Mastering Microsoft® Visual Basic® 2010
Microsoft® Visual Basic® 2010 Step by Step
Programming Visual Basic 2008
Visual Basic 2008 Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach
Microsoft® Visual Basic® 2008 Express Programming for the Absolute Beginner
Microsoft® Visual Basic® 2008 Step by Step
Build a Program Now!: Microsoft® Visual Basic® 2008 Express Edition
Mastering Microsoft® Visual Basic® 2008
Agile Project Management with Scrum
The Enterprise and Scrum
Agile Product Management with Scrum: Creating Products that Customers Love
A Practical Guide to Distributed Scrum
Lean Software Development: An Agile Toolkit
User Stories Applied: For Agile Software Development
Agile Software Development: The Cooperative Game, Second Edition
The Art of Agile Development
Agile Database Techniques: Effective Strategies for the Agile Software Developer
Changing Software Development: Learning to Become Agile
ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University
Head First iPhone Development
Head First Java, 2nd Edition
Head First Design Patterns
Operating System Concepts, Seventh Edition
The iPhone Book, Fourth Edition
Beginning PHP and MySQL: From Novice to Professional Fourth Edition
MATLAB® and Its Applications in Engineering
Introducing Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011
JavaScript® Bible, Seventh Edition
Developing Virtual Reality Applications
iPhone 3D Programming
Developing Serious Games
Fashioning Technology
Introducing HTML5
HTML5: Up and Running
Pro HTML5 Programming: Powerful APIs for Richer Internet Application Development
Maya® Studio Projects: Game Environments and Props
Mastering Maya® 2009
Introducing Maya® 2008
Adobe® Dreamweaver® CS5 Bible
Dreamweaver CS5: The Missing Manual
Adobe® Dreamweaver® CS5 with PHP: Training from the Source
SQL for Microsoft® Access
[26/10/10]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Compendex and Inspec now have Citation Information
Engineering Village have introduced Scopus "Cited by" counts to Compendex and Inspec abstracts.
Now, Engineering Village users will have
an indicator of the scientific value of a particular article, without having to
also search Scopus.
EV users will immediately
see how many times a particular article has been cited from more
than 18,000 titles covered within Scopus. The Cited By feature gives
users an indicator of scientific value for a particular article. Even if an
EV user is not subscribed to Scopus, (as is the case with University of Ulster)users will see the Cited By count
and view the citation listed in Scopus with limited access to other
functionality.
[14/10/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
IEEE/IET Electronic Library Now Available via Athens Authentication
IEEE/IET Electronic Library, commonly known as IEEE Xplore, has joined many of our other databases and is now available as an Athens-authenticated resource.
If you are on-campus, you should get in automatically. If you are accessing IEEE Xplore from off-campus, you no longer need the old username and password. Logging in through the University Portal should provide seamless access to this resource.
IEEE/IET Electronic Library contains millions of journal articles, conference papers and standards from IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, as well as material published by IET, the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
[13/10/10]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ASTM Standards Updated to 2010 Edition
Our collection of ASTM Standards has been updated to include all standards published up to 2010.
The ASTM Standards, a collection of standards from one of the leading international standards organisations, have been purchased by the Library. The American Society for Testing and Materials cover a huge amount of subjects, and they provide detailed specifications and guidelines for a number of key areas being researched by the University of Ulster.
You can find the standards on a standalone PC opposite the Issue Desk in Jordanstown LRC. The standards replace our previous collection from 2006.
If you need any help with the ASTM standards, please contact Jim Fitzsimons or Mick Carragher.
[12/10/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics
The latest edition of The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics is now available online.
Available via Oxford Reference Online, this invaluable resource will guide general readers and students alike through the often bewildering maze of equations and theorems encountered within the mathematical universe.
Covering everything in the field, from pure and applied mathematics to statistics, it also covers areas of more general interest, such as fractals, game theory, and chaos. Brief biographical sketches are provided of the great mathematicians.
Fully revised and updated in line with curriculum and degree requirements this dictionary is indispensable for students and teachers of mathematics, and for anyone encountering mathematics in the workplace.
[02/09/10]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Search IEEE Xplore Like an Expert
IEEE Xplore offers lots of ways to help you get the most out of IEEE Xplore—have a look here for more information.
Self-Paced Training Modules
Self-paced training modules are designed to give you a quick overview of the most requested training topics. See the latest tips and techniques for making your research go smoothly.
Live Online Training
Learn best practices for searching IEEE Xplore and get quick demonstrations of new features with live online training led by IEEE Client Services Managers.
Personalization and Content Alerts
Sign in to IEEE Xplore with your personal account to set your preferences and receive e-mail alerts or RSS feeds whenever new content relevant to your research is uploaded into IEEE Xplore. You can set up as many content alerts as you want—making it easy to keep up with technology!
Enhanced Search Tools
Find relevant information easier with key features from IEEE Xplore. The smart “Refine/Expand Results” module lets you modify searches by multiple facets to find exactly what you’re looking for. The functional breadcrumb trail makes it easy to remove search elements to expand your search for more results.
Click here for more information.
[19/08/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Springer announces the new SpringerLink platform
Springer have updated the Springerlink platform to make your research more user-friendly.
Some of the key new features on the new SpringerLink include:
• Related documents for every article or eBook chapter through Semantic Linking
• PDF Preview for eBook chapters
• Enhanced browsing features
• View abstracts without leaving search results
• Improved search functionality – including searching by citation
• Easy filters for Online First and Open Access articles
• And more
After the launch there will be continuous development of the site with regular future releases introducing new features.
Please get in touch with your Subject Librarians if you need further information.
[10/08/10]
Top of Page
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ASM Handbooks now Available Off-Campus
ASM International and Knovel have announced a partnership where ASM content will be published on the Knovel platform.
All twenty two volumes of the ASM International Handbooks Online, together with ASM's International Alloy Information, are now available via Knovel. Keyword searching in Knovel will return results from ASM publications if relevant, or you can browse the volumes and tables of information for your research.
Titles include:
Woldman's Engineering Alloys (9th Edition)
Worldwide Guide to Equivalent Irons and Steels (5th Edition)
Worldwide Guide to Equivalent Nonferrous Metals and Alloys (4th Edition)
ASM Handbook, Volume 1 - Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys
ASM Handbook, Volume 10 - Materials Characterization
ASM Handbook, Volume 11 - Failure Analysis and Prevention
ASM Handbook, Volume 12 - Fractography
ASM Handbook, Volume 13A - Corrosion: Fundamentals, Testing, and Protection
ASM Handbook, Volume 13B - Corrosion: Materials
ASM Handbook, Volume 13C - Corrosion: Environments and Industries
ASM Handbook, Volume 14A - Metalworking: Bulk Forming
ASM Handbook, Volume 14B - Metalworking: Sheet Forming
ASM Handbook, Volume 15 - Casting
ASM Handbook, Volume 16 - Machining
ASM Handbook, Volume 17 - Nondestructive Evaluation and Quality Control
ASM Handbook, Volume 18 - Friction, Lubrication, and Wear Technology
ASM Handbook, Volume 19 - Fatigue and Fracture
ASM Handbook, Volume 2 - Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
ASM Handbook, Volume 20 - Materials Selection and Design
ASM Handbook, Volume 21 - Composites
ASM Handbook, Volume 22A - Fundamentals of Modeling for Metals Processing
ASM Handbook, Volume 3 - Alloy Phase Diagrams
ASM Handbook, Volume 4 - Heat Treating Premium Content:
ASM Handbook, Volume 5 - Surface Engineering
ASM Handbook, Volume 6 - Welding, Brazing, and Soldering
ASM Handbook, Volume 7 - Powder Metal Technologies and Applications
ASM Handbook, Volume 8 - Mechanical Testing and Evaluation
ASM Handbook, Volume 9 - Metallography and Microstructures
[10/08/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Safari eBooks - New Enhancements
Safari Books Online, a fantastic resource for computing students, has rolled out a number of enhancements to the service recently.
Among the new enhancements are:
Enhanced Categorisation for Safari Books Online
This upgrade organises all titles into seven primary subject areas so that users can locate what they need by searching under just one key topic. The new categories will appear in the left-hand navigation bar when you login.
The new categories are:
• Business
• Desktop & Web Applications
• Digital Media
• Engineering
• Information Technology & Software Development
• Math & Science
• Personal & Professional Development
Simplified User Interface
• Navigate anywhere in the site in just two clicks.
• Browse Featured Categories or books from a favourite publisher.
• Access Search from the top of any page, and try the new Advanced Search query builder.
• Read context-sensitive Help for the page you are viewing.
Improved Reading Experience
• Scroll vertically through a book, turn pages, or use keyboard shortcuts.
• Navigate easily to a new section from Thumbnail view.
• Try the multiple Zoom levels to focus closely on text.
• Select Full Screen mode to remove distractions as you read.
Optimised Search
• Improved search functionality provides access to all content available in the digital library
• A new interface also enables users to read the content while continuing to see the list of search results.
• Enhanced advanced search query capability enables building search rules through a simple dialogue box.
Ratings and Reviews
• Expanded Ratings — In addition to the Amazon ratings, this version now offers Safari Books Online user-generated ratings on books and videos to ensure users are finding the best materials available from trustworthy sources and to learn from Safari Books Online peers.
Have a look at the new Safari Books now to appreciate the improvements yourself!
[10/08/10]
Top of Page
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Engineering Index Backfile Makes Historical Search Possible
Compendex, one of the most comprehensive engineering literature databases, is now available to search from 1884 to the present.
The Engineering Index Backfile provides a comprehensive, historical view of engineering developments and innovations described in literature from 1884-1969.
Available via Engineering Village, over 1.7 million records have been digitized from the original Engineering Index print indexes. Information is fully searchable, for easy user access to original records chronicling virtually every major engineering breakthrough from the late 19th through 20th centuries.
Available on Engineering Village, the combined searching capability of Compendex and the Ei Backfile offers the most comprehensive resource for engineering available anywhere.Compendex contains 11.3 million records from 1969 to the present.
[24/06/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Three New Journals in IEEE Xplore
IEEE has published the first issues of three new journals in IEEE Xplore including IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.
IEEE Magnetics Letters is a rapid-publication, primarily electronic journal dedicated exclusively to magnetics articles of substantial current interest. The publication looks at the physics and engineering of magnetism, magnetic materials, applied magnetics, as well as the design and application of magnetic devices, biomagnetics, magneto-electronics and spin electronics.
IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid is cross-disciplinary and aimed at disseminating research on smart grid that relates to energy generation, transmission, distribution and delivery. Manuscript submissions on the design, implementation and evaluation of energy systems that include smart grid technologies and applications are welcome.
IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy disseminates research on sustainable energy that relates to, arises from, or deliberately influences energy generation, transmission, distribution and delivery. The journal publishes original research on the theories and development of sustainable energy technologies and systems.
[24/06/10]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Institute of Physics Launch New-Look Website
The Institute of Physics have updated the interface of their website to improve functionality and provide new services to users.
What makes IOPscience different?
IOPscience has been designed to make it easy for researchers to discover relevant content and manage their research information.
With IOPscience you can:
* Speed up your research: find relevant content quickly with enhanced search filtering
* Save time: re-run previous searches, tagging your favorite articles
* Keep up to date: receive RSS feeds and email alerts when new content is published
* Access more content: view articles plus preprints and news
* Interact and share: embrace social bookmarking to share articles
* Discover related research: explore relevant articles based on subject classification codes
* Make it personal: customize your alerts, save articles of interest, and view newly published articles within your subject areas
[17/06/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Emerald Journals - Backfiles Added
A large archive of journal articles dating back to the 1950s has been added to the Emerald database.
Despite the name, Emerald Management Xtra contains a significant number of engineering journals, and is well worth checking out for interesting information.
Access is from the Library Homepage or via the University Portal ('Learning Resources' tab) using your network password.
[01/06/10]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Business Source Premier Expands
The coverage of Business Source Premier has been expanded on a trial basis (to the end of December 2010) to cover over 3,000 journals, half of which are academic titles.
Also included in the database are full text books, economic reports and trade journals amongst other material.
Despite the name, Business Source Premier contains much of interest to the Faculty of Computing and Engineering.
[01/06/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ASM Handbooks - New Volume Added
ASM Handbooks Online have recently added a new volume relating to Fundamentals of Modeling for Metals Processing
ASM Handbook, ASM's flagship reference series on metals and materials, provides a comprehensive, practical, and reliable source of technical knowledge and engineering data.
Recently, Volume 22A has been added to the Handbooks, called Fundamentals of Modeling for Metals Processing. Various major sections of this Volume summarize the fundamentals of materials modeling, including modeling of microstructure and texture evolution, modeling of damage and defect evolution, modeling of mechanical properties, and material-specific models for industrial alloys.
Another new volume, 22B, will be added to the collection in the near future.
The collection is available on-campus only.
[28/05/10]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
TechXtra - A Useful Resource for Computing and Engineering
TechXtra is a great way to keep up-to-date for free with the latest research and job information.
TechXtra is a free service which can help you find articles, books, the best websites, the latest industry news, job announcements, technical reports, technical data, full text eprints, the latest research, thesis & dissertations, teaching and learning resources and more, in engineering, mathematics and computing.
TechXtra searches parts of the Web that Google doesn’t, and TechXtra helps you find subject-based information, which Google doesn’t do very well. Many of the things you’ll find through TechXtra come from the ‘Hidden Web’, and are not indexed by Google.
If you’re looking for engineering, mathematics and computing information then TechXtra is for you!
[06/05/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Mathematics for Engineers
An Online interactive Knovel Book provides lots of useful help for mathematicians and engineers who need some help with their calculations.
This title contains a sample of scientific and technical content available on Knovel. It showcases the range of this content and the benefits of Knovel's productivity tools, such as Graph Digitizer and Mathcad-enabled examples. Use this free title to browse, search (in advanced and basic modes) and practice the use of productivity tools.As well as Mathematics, it covers many other subject areas such as Thermodynamics, Material Properties and Safety Properties.
[27/04/10]
Top of Page
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Peer Review: a Guide for Researchers
The Research information Network has just published a new guide to how the peer review system works.
[29/03/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New eBook Titles in Safari
A number of new titles have been added to the Safari collection, primarily for students in the School of Computing in Magee.
Shane Wilson, a lecturer in the School of Computing and Intelligent Systems in Magee, has requested that a number of titles be added to the Safari eBook database.
The following titles are now available to read online from anywhere:
Allen Sherrod, Game Graphics Programming, Course Technology, Publication date: 01/07/2009
Allen Sherrod, Ultimate Game programming with DirectX, Second Edition, Course Technology, Publication date: 01/01/2009
Huber Nguyen, GPU Gems 3, Publisher: Addison-Wesley, Publication Date: 02/08/2007
David Eberly, 3D game engine architecture: Engineering Real-Time applications with Wilde Magic, Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann, Publication Date: 31/12/2004
Rob Miles, Microsoft XNA Game studio 3.0: Learn programming now, second edition, Publisher Microsoft press, Publication date: 10/06/2009
Steve Rabin, Introduction to Game development, Second Edition, Course Technology, Publication date 01/06/2009
Paul Yao, Programming .NET Compact Framework 3.5, Second Edition, Publisher: Addison Wesley professional, Publication date: 10/09/2009
Michael Snow, Game programming with Silverlight, Publisher Course Technology, Publication date: 16/06/2009
Carl Granberg, Character Animation with Direct3D, Course Technology, Publication date: 01/04/2009
These eBooks supplement the paper copies we have in stock for most of these titles.
If you have any questions about Safari, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your Subject Librarians.
[22/03/10]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Look IEEE XPlore Database
The IEEE XPlore database has changed its interface.
*Spend less time researching with a powerful, new search engine
*Find better information with faceted search results
*Personalize your account with custom saved searches, RSS feeds and e-mail alerts.
The new IEEE Xplore interface represents the most significant upgrade of the IEEE Xplore digital library since 2005. Designed to make searching for and finding relevant research easier and faster, the new interface includes several important customer-requested enhancements.
New IEEE Interface
Designed for improved navigation and functionality, the new interface enhances the search and browse tools in a clean, simple and more efficient design. A prominent browse tab and search box on every page provides quick access to valuable research.
Improved Search Capabilities
Faceted search results and a new search engine greatly improve functionality and make finding the right information even easier.
* Smart “Refine this Search” capabilities allow you to refine or expand results by multiple facets
* Convenient type-ahead shortens searching time
* Functional search breadcrumb trail lets you easily remove search elements
* Automatic search suggestion intuitively corrects spelling
* Post-search sort options provide results display flexibility
* Global search box on every page lets users start a new search from anywhere
New Personalization Features
Several personalization options for guests, members and users at subscribing institutions allow you to set search preferences using multiple criteria. Create up to 15 personalized saved searches with the option to receive e-mail alerts or RSS feeds when new relevant content is uploaded. Users can sign up for personal accounts to take advantage of the many options.
[17/02/10]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Additional Content for IEEE XPlore
A significant amount of new material has been added to the IEEE XPlore database. Over 40,000 new documents have been added, across a number of subject areas.
All the new material is from IEE and IET archives.
[05/02/10]
Top of Page
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Safari Books Online - New Functionality
Safari Books, the database for full text computing ebooks, has had a major redesign.
The most important feature of Safari 6.0 is the new interface for reading books online. The interface has moved from HTML view to a Flash view, so you are now reading the book as it was originally published. New features such as page thumbnails should make navigation easier. You can highlight text and copy to a clipboard, although this doesn't extend to copying diagrams or images as yet. Printing and emailing pages is an option available, as before.
Safari are working on fixes to user requests about functionality in areas such as copy and paste, zoom toolbar improvements, scroll wheel and bar issues, SOM links and settings in the Favorites Folders, so there may be changes here in the near future.
If you have any questions about Safari, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your Subject Librarians.
[04/11/09]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Edition of Computing Projects Book on the Shelves
The second edition of Christian Dawson's book Projects in computing and information systems : a student's guide is now available in Jordanstown and Coleraine.
The latest edition of this really useful book is an ever-popular title for final year students embarking on their dissertation.
This one-stop resource takes you through the entire project process, from selecting the project, to producing a proposal, all the way through to report writing and presentation of the project or dissertation.
Using an accessible yet academically rigorous writing style, the material is presented in a user-friendly format to enable you to develop your project writing skills and 'add value' to your work. This new edition has been updated to include technology and processes (i.e. choice of programming languages; agile methods) and also wider issues which are becoming increasingly important in the 'skills' area (i.e. ethics; plagiarism; PDPs/aspiration).
[28/10/09]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
British Standards - a Welcome New Interface
The British Standards Institution has made a significant change to the interface of BSOL, the British Standards Online Database.
As before, you can search for standards using either the Simple or Advanced search screens, but the interface is much more attractive and intuitive to use, with on-screen examples to help with your searches. You can search for standard numbers, text terms or phrases. In addition, you can browse the entire collection using the BSOL browsing functionality to look for standards by module or ICS code.
In addition, you can refine your search criteria by searching again within your results set or by filtering your results using a range of categories.
You can run a simple search within your result set by using the “search within your results” tool in the refine your search area to the left of the search results . Search terms used here will be added to the Search History.
You can also filter your search results using the categories described below. You can perform multiple filters and each filter step will be recorded in the Search History. The filter categories are:
- Subject
- Industry Sector
- Status
- Committee
- Module
- ICS code
With British Standards becoming key documents in so many areas of research, the move to an easier-to-use interface is a welcome one.
[08/10/09]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Safari eBook Collection - New Books Added
A major update of electronic books has taken place in Safari, with 152 new titles added to the collection.
The Safari eBook Collection of approximately 550 full text computing books, published by some of the top publishers in the field, has been updated with the latest titles and editions.
Old editions have been updated with new editions where possible, and new subject areas have been included to reflect changing teaching and research within the Faculty. Safari eBooks are available from anywhere via the University Portal.
[08/10/09]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Three New Journals Available
Spring have made three journal titles freely available: Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems, and IJPEM.
The three journals are available until the end of November 2009.
Click on the titles for more information:
Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems
International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
[01/10/09]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Take the Knovel University Challenge!
Knovel the eBook provider are running a competition to win a Kindle, Wiis, iPods and more.
The Knovel University Challenge is a competition which starts on 14/09/09 and is open to all universities with current subscriptions to Knovel. You have until (midnight) December 1st to submit your answers and contact information (full name, school name, email address) via the contest widget available at www.info.knovel.com/challenge. Good luck!
[16/09/09]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Journal Citation Reports - 2008 Data Now Available
The Journal Citation Reports was updated last weekend to include data covering the year 2008.
Updated annually, the new data enables you to compare the impact factors of 7,500 top journals from 2003, as well as compiling the cited references relating to articles over the years. Covering all the major journals in the subject areas of science, technology and the social sciences, JCR is an important tool for the researcher in evaluating and comparing citation data.
The 2008 JCR contains more than 400 new titles, including more than 350 titles that will have their first published Journal Impact Factor. The release of the 2008 Journal Citation Reports includes the first-ever update to the newly introduced Five Year Impact Factor and Eigenfactor™ Metrics in JCR Web. Eigenfactor™ Metrics use citing journal data from the entire JCR file to reflect the prestige and citation influence of journals by considering scholarly literature as a network of journal-to-journal relationships.
If you are interested in finding out more about JCR, contact your Subject Librarians, or watch the short video created by librarians showing you how to use JCR.
[18/08/09]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ASM Handbooks Update
ASM Handbook Volume 9: Metallography and Microstructures, has had important updates and new information added. It is available from our electronic subscription here.
ASM Handbook Volume 9: Metallography and Microstructures
The indispensable reference for anyone involved with metallurgical analyses for production quality control, research, or educational training. This edition provides important updates and new information reflecting the substantial changes in automation, equipment, consumable products and preparation methodology, as well as new metals, alloys and manufacturing technologies.
[03/08/09]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Free Access to Materials and Structures Journal
Springer are offering FREE access to the first five 2009 issues of Materials and Structures until July 20, 2009.
Materials and Structures, the flagship publication of the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures (RILEM), provides a unique international and interdisciplinary forum for new research findings on the performance of construction materials.
A leader in cutting-edge research, the journal is dedicated to the publication of high quality papers examining the fundamental properties of building materials, their characterization and processing techniques, modeling, standardization of test methods, and the application of research results in building and civil engineering. Materials and Structures also publishes comprehensive reports prepared by the RILEM’s technical committees.
[08/06/09]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
SAE International Journals Now Freely Available Online
The seven journals published by the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) have been made available via Stanford's HighWire service, with content from 2009-.
The seven titles are:
SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Electronic and Electrical Systems
SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems
SAE International Journal of Commercial Vehicles
SAE International Journal of Aerospace
SAE International Journal of Engines
SAE International Journal of Materials & Manufacturing
SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants
[12/05/09]
Top of Page
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Encyclopedia of Medical Devices and Instrumentation
An important new reference work has been acquired by the Library. The Encyclopedia, a six volume collection of articles by leading authors in the field, has been described as "a monumental work...all who have been involved are to be credited for a significant and worthy contribution to our accessible body of knowledge!" (IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, 2006)
The articles in The Encyclopedia of Medical Devices and Instrumentation focus on what is currently useful or is likely to be useful in future medicine. They answer the question, "What are the branches of medicine and how does technology assist each of them?"
Articles focus on the practice of medicine that is assisted by devices, rather than including, for example, the use of drugs to treat disease. The title is the only resource on the market dealing with the subject in encyclopedic detail.
* Accessible to practitioners with a broad range of backgrounds from students to researchers and physicians
* Articles cover the latest developments such as nanotechnology, fiber optics, and signal processing
The volumes are available in the Short Loan room, Jordanstown LRC, for consultation.
[12/05/09]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ASM Handbooks and Alloy Centre
The Library subscribes to the ASM Handbooks Online, as well as the Alloy Centre, but there is a lot more available to us via the ASM International Website.
Free emailed newsletters are available from ASM, including the following:
AM&P e-newsletter
The AM&P e-newsletter delivers the latest updates from the metals and materials industry.
HTP eNews
Provides the latest updates on the heat treating industry monthly.
MPMD e-newsletter
This eNewsletter is created for both established and emerging companies in this growth market. MPMD contains information geared towards engineers and researchers at leading medical device companies, universities and hospitals.
TSS Spray Tips
This free service provided by the Thermal Spray Society provides handy tips and quick information on thermal spray and other surface engineering technologies.
All these newsletters, including links to Video of the Week, are available from here
[06/05/09]
Top of Page
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Free Access to the Journal Metals and Materials International
Springer have announced free access to this prestigious journal until the end of June 2009. With an impact factor of 1.424, this journal ranks as 8th highest in the Metallurgy and Metallurgical Engineering subject area.
Metals and Materials International publishes original papers and critical reviews on all aspects of research and technology in materials engineering: physical metallurgy, materials science, and processing of metals and other materials.
Coverage emphasizes those aspects of the science of materials that are concerned with the relationships among the processing, structure and properties (mechanical, chemical, electrical, electrochemical, magnetic and optical) of materials. Aspects of processing include the melting, casting, and fabrication with the thermodynamics, kinetics and modeling.
[20/04/09]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Anyone interested in Nonlinear Dynamics?
Springer have announced that The Journal of Nonlinear Dynamics is available for free until April 30.
Nonlinear Dynamics provides a forum for the rapid publication of original research in the field. The journal’s scope encompasses all nonlinear dynamic phenomena associated with mechanical, structural, civil, aeronautical, ocean, electrical, and control systems. Review articles and original contributions are based on analytical, computational, and experimental methods.
The journal examines such topics as perturbation and computational methods, symbolic manipulation, dynamic stability, local and global methods, bifurcations, chaos, and deterministic and random vibrations. The journal also investigates Lie groups, multibody dynamics, robotics, fluid-solid interactions, system modeling and identification, friction and damping models, signal analysis, and measurement techniques.
[09/04/09]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
IEEE Celebrates its Two Millionth Article on IEEE Xplore®
IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional society, is celebrating the addition of the two millionth article to IEEE Xplore.
IEEE Xplore is one of the world’s largest sources of valuable, cutting-edge, research, and standards. Providing nearly one-third of the world’s highest quality technical literature in electrical engineering, communications and computer science, the IEEE Xplore digital library is the most trusted source for vital information in technology today.
IEEE Xplore, which includes content from IEEE journals and magazines going back as far as the year 1913, is a comprehensive, online database of current and past research from many industries, including aerospace and defense, automotive, computing, medical devices, nanotechnology, petroleum and natural gas, power and energy, semiconductors and telecommunications.
Content from The Institution of Engineering and Technology journals is also available.
[01/04/09]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Free access to Royal Society of Chemistry Journals
For the next four weeks we have free access to all RSC journals online. From 2nd March to 30th March 2009, we have on-campus access to full-text articles from the RSC.
There is free online access to all RSC journal content published online between 1997 and the present day. Archive material is not included in this offer.For further information, contact your Subject Librarian.
[04/03/09]
Top of Page
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
British Standards Online - New Improvements
The British Standards Online database has just got even better! New improvements to the user interface now mean that it is much easier to search for the British Standard you want.
If you have any questions regarding British Standards, or any other standards, have a look at this page, or contact your Subject Librarians.
[26/01/09]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ScienceDirect Users
The ScienceDirect database will be unavailable on Saturday 10 January for approximately 8 hours from 7.30pm, due to essential maintenance.
Elsevier apologise for the inconvenience.
[07/01/09]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ASM Handbooks - Service Restored
Access to the ASM Handbooks and Alloy Centre Online has now been restored. Apologies for the break in service.
This full-text service consists of:
ASM Handbooks Online featuring the complete content of twenty ASM Handbook volumes plus two ASM Desk Editions.
ASM Alloy Center Online, featuring ASM property data, performance charts, and processing guidelines for specific metals and alloys.
This service is available on-campus only.
[15/12/08]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Looking for Patents?
There are millions of free patents online, but finding them can be difficult. A page explaining patents is now available.
Many countries make their patents available free of charge,and there are various websites that can be used to search them. Using this guide may help you find your way around.
If you find a patent which is not available in full text online, get in touch with Library staff. The Library does not hold patents. However, those which cannot be obtained freely can be obtained through our Document Delivery Service.
[27/11/08]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ScienceDirect Users
ScienceDirect will be unavailable on Saturday 15th November between 1pm and 10pm.
Elsevier apologise for any inconvenience caused while the service is being upgraded during this time.
[12/11/08]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Architecture Sub-Category: None
New Architecture Database on Trial
The Library is trialling the Avery Index until the end of November 2008.
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals, published by the Getty Research Institute, is the only comprehensive American guide to the current literature of architecture and design. The index covers international, scholarly and popular periodical literature, including publications of professional associations; US state and regional periodicals; and major serial publications in the architecture and design of Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia.
[27/10/08]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Announcing Nano Research, a New Journal
Springer and Tsinghua Press have announced a new open-access journal. It can be accessed from here.
Nano Research is a peer-reviewed, international and interdisciplinary research journal that focuses on all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
[15/10/08]
Faculty: Eng School: General Category: None Sub-Category: None
Announcing Nano Research, a New Journal
Springer and Tsinghua Press have announced a new open-access journal. It can be accessed from here.
Nano Research is a peer-reviewed, international and interdisciplinary research journal that focuses on all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
[15/10/08]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Welcome to the New-Look Page
Looking for Built Environment information? Click here for ViBEL.
ViBEL has moved to a new page, and is available through the Subject Guide links for the Faculty of Art, Design and the Built Environment.
[25/09/08]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Journal Citation Reports for 2007 Available Now
The 2007 edition of the Thomson Reuters' Journal Citation Reports has been released this week.
Journal Citation Reports® is published annually in two editions. The year 2006 data for Journal Citation Reports (JCR) (part of the ISI Web of Knowledge Service for UK Education) is now available in the 2007 publication.
JCR Science Edition contains data from over 5,900 journals in science and technology.
JCR Social Sciences Edition contains data from over 1,700 journals in the social sciences.
[18/06/08]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
Important New Journal - Free Access for One Year
Springer have published a new journal title - Energy Efficiency - and the first year is available for free.
Under the Editorship of Paolo Bertoldi, the Journal covers different aspects of energy efficiency in the residential, tertiary, industrial and transport sectors. Energy efficiency is a multidisciplinary field ranging from economic and environmental science, to engineering and social science. It also encompasses policy science and psychology. Therefore a journal dedicated to energy efficiency covers a number of different topics and disciplines.
[13/06/08]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Important New Journal - Free Access for One Year
Springer have published a new journal title - Energy Efficiency - and the first year is available for free.
Under the Editorship of Paolo Bertoldi, the Journal covers different aspects of energy efficiency in the residential, tertiary, industrial and transport sectors. Energy efficiency is a multidisciplinary field ranging from economic and environmental science, to engineering and social science. It also encompasses policy science and psychology. Therefore a journal dedicated to energy efficiency covers a number of different topics and disciplines.
[13/06/08]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ICE Journals Now Available Off-Campus
The ICE Virtual Library can now be accessed from anywhere using your Athens username and password.
The ICE's Virtual Library gives access to the largest repository of full text civil engineering papers in the world. From here you can search the ICE's archive of technical papers from 1836 to the present day.
The titles available include:
ICE Proceedings
ICE Proceedings, Bridge Engineering
ICE Proceedings, Civil Engineering
ICE Proceedings, Construction Materials
ICE Proceedings, Energy
ICE Proceedings, Engineering Divisions
ICE Proceedings, Engineering Sustainability
ICE Proceedings, Geotechnical Engineering
ICE Proceedings, Ground Improvement
ICE Proceedings, Management, Procurement & Law
ICE Proceedings, Maritime Engineering
ICE Proceedings, Municipal Engineer
ICE Proceedings, Structures and Buildings
ICE Proceedings, Transport
ICE Proceedings, Waste and Resource Management
ICE Proceedings, Water and Maritime Engineering
ICE Proceedings, Water Management
ICE Proceedings, Water Maritime and Energy
[29/05/08]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Knovel Critical Tables Second Edition is now available
One of Knovel’s most popular titles, this 2nd edition of Knovel Critical Tables has been updated and enhanced with over 40 new interactive tables. A total of more than 16,000 new records have been added.
New tables have been introduced in areas including:
* Electrical Properties
* Thermal Expansion
* Transport and Flow
* Density and Compressibility
* Vaporization and Vapor Pressure
* Reaction, Thermodynamics and Equilibrium
[06/05/08]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New ScienceDirect features meet researchers' needs
New to ScienceDirect are features that make the platform even more user friendly and deliver better, clearer results in fewer clicks.
Want to quickly evaluate articles before reading them?
You'll find preview tabs that provide quick access to the important article assessment components: the abstract, figures/tables and references. These tabs are on the results page, the table of contents page and the article page.
Want to see reference information without scrolling to the foot of an article?
We've made it possible for you to view reference information within the body of a paper when your cursor moves over a reference marker.
Looking for something specific?
A new navigation pane on the search results page provides a view of the research output on a subject by year, by content type or by journal/book titles with the most results. By using these filters you can refine your search results without having to return to the search form.
You've evaluated and read the article, what now?
You can take further action quickly and easily. A new Article Toolbox brings together all of the article-related functionality including 'Cited By', 'E-mail Article' and more, into one easy-to-find location.
Want to know how other experts rate the article you are reading?
Due to be launched in phases over the coming months, the integration of article comments and ratings from Elsevier's social collaboration site, 2collab enables you to evaluate papers according to colleague-driven comments and ratings of articles right on the article page.
For more information, contact your subject librarian or visit the ScienceDirect Info site.
[06/05/08]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
RefWorks Users - New Development
RefWorks has an important new function. You can now add attachments - for example, full-text articles, to your references.
This recent development means that you can attach files to reference records. There is a limit of 5MB for any one attachment, and a maximum limit of 100MB per user.
For further information in RefWorks:
1. Locate the relevant reference and click on Edit
2. Click on Browse to locate the attachment you wish to add,
3. Click Add Attachment to upload your file
[30/04/08]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Researching Paradise
The Index to Theses has recently been updated.
The Index to Theses is a comprehensive listing of theses with abstracts accepted for higher degrees by universities in Great Britain and Ireland since 1716.
There are now 517,084 theses in the collection.
[08/04/08]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Trial Database -
Essential Science Indicators (ESIsm)
This database, from Thomson Scientific, offers an in-depth analytical tool offering data for ranking scientists, institutions, countries, and journals.
To access, click here.
This product provides a variety of data and analysis relevant to research.
* Explore science performance statistics and science trends data, based on journal article publication counts and citation data
* Determine research output and impact in specific fields of research
* Evaluate potential employees, collaborators, reviewers, and peers.
On trial from Monday 7th April 2008 until Monday, 7th May 2008 with access to the full 10 year databases.
If you need any further help or information, please do not hesitate to contact your Library Subject Team.
[08/04/08]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Quantity Surveying Sub-Category: None
NEC3 Contracts Available
The Library has subscribed to the digital version of NEC3 Contracts. They are available on-campus only for the moment. Click here to access them.
The NEC is a modern day family of standard contracts that truly embraces the concept of partnership and encourages employers, designers, contractors and project managers to work together through both a powerful management tool and a legal framework to facilitate all aspects of the creation of construction projects.
[07/04/08]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
IEEE Xplore Database Continues to Grow
The IEE and IEEE database, Xplore, added 90,000 full-text articles to the database last year.
Originally promised to be 180,000 documents large, the IEEE Xplore® legacy collection topped over 237,286 documents earlier this year as IEEE continues to complete its vision to provide the first volume, first issue release of all its technology journals. Since 2003, IEEE has been adding legacy content (pre-1988) to IEEE Xplore in an effort to bring historic, scholarly content to new generations of researchers and practitioners. The IEEE legacy collection is part of IEEE’s plan to digitize all papers from its technology journals and represents a critical evolutionary period that chronicles the development of today's information age. With the addition of these historic publications, dating back to 1913, researchers will have access to a tremendous repository of papers by visionaries in the electrical and electronics engineering professions. Notable additions to the collection include the Proceedings of the IEEE as well as the Computer Magazine, dating back to the early 1960s and 1970s respectively. The collection also includes a number of conference proceedings dating back to the 1950s. While some journals may not be entirely complete, IEEE continues its efforts to fill any remaining gaps in the historical database. In 2007, IEEE loaded over 90,000 documents into the IEEE Xplore legacy collection and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is expected to add its legacy content to the database during 2008.
[10/01/08]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ASM Handbooks Now Available Online
Full Text ASM Handbooks, a vital reference work for engineers, are now available via the Web.
The fully-searchable collection consists of:
ASM Handbooks Online (24 volumes, recently updated, as well as 2 ASM Desk Editions),
ASM Alloy Center, featuring ASM property data, performance charts, and processing guidelines for specific metals and alloys.
The collection is available on-campus only.
[03/01/08]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New! Video Resources Available Now
Hundreds of videos for the Built Environment are now available online, via the Einstein Channel.
Einstein Channel, also known as En-Power Academia, is a fully searchable, on-demand service delivering on-line archives of CPD videos for students of architecture, civil engineering, surveying, law, planning and general business.
All you need are your Athens username and password to access them from anywhere. Happy viewing!
[19/12/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Quantity Surveying Sub-Category: None
New! Video Resources Available Now
Hundreds of videos are now available online, via the Einstein Channel.
Einstein Channel, also known as En-Power Academia, is a fully searchable, on-demand service delivering on-line archives of CPD videos for students of architecture, civil engineering, surveying, law, planning and general business.
All you need are your Athens username and password to access them from anywhere.
Happy viewing!
[19/12/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
IEEE Xplore database now RefWorks Compatible
The IEEE Xplore database has recently been enhanced.
If you want to download references from IEEE Xplore straight into your RefWorks database, you can now do so.
You can tick the references you want to save, click on download, and export them into RefWorks.
[04/12/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
British Standards Database - Important Information
The British Standards database has a new interface which involves a different approach to accessing full text standards.
When you login to the British Standards database with your Athens username and password, you need to click on the big blue link that says BSOL Subscribers.
You can then search for Standards by number or keyword in a much-improved search interface.
[03/12/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Downtime for the IEEE Xplore Digital Library
The IEEE Xplore database will be unavailable for a number of hours on Thursday 6 December.
The database will be unavailable between 11am and 1pm approximately.
Apologies for any disruption to your research.
[03/12/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Soil Mechanics Students
Looking for TRL Report 71 and CIRIA Report 103?
These two reports are available in full text format from anywhere in the database Construction Information Service.
The easiest way to find them, once you have logged in with your Athens username and password, is to use the Advanced Search facility. Use the document number field and search for 71 or 103. At the same time use the publisher field and insert TRL or CIRIA respectively.
This should return results for the following documents:
Guide to accommodating or avoiding soil induced lateral loading of piled foundations for highway bridges
Design of laterally loaded piles
If you have any problems, please contact Jim or Mick, your Subject librarians.
[15/11/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Building Law Reports
The recent problems affecting access to the online version of BLR have been solved.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused by the lack of online access.
A new username and password is available here (on-campus only), or by logging in to Studentweb.
Alternatively, the paper copies of BLR are available in Jordanstown Library at Journals 343.42078
[08/11/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Free Online Access to Human Factors & Ergonomics in Manufacturing
There is free access to the journal Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing for the remainder of 2007.
The journal covers a broad spectrum of ergonomics and human factors issues with a focus on the design, operation and management of contemporary manufacturing systems, both in the shop floor and office environments, in the quest for manufacturing agility. The inter- and cross-disciplinary nature of the journal allows for a wide scope of issues relevant to manufacturing system design and engineering, human resource management, social, organizational, safety, and health issues.
To access your free articles, simply click on the link here
[08/11/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
NEC3 Contracts Available
The Library has subscribed to the digital version of NEC3 Contracts. They are available on-campus only for the moment. Click here to access them.
The NEC is a modern day family of standard contracts that truly embraces the concept of partnership and encourages employers, designers, contractors and project managers to work together through both a powerful management tool and a legal framework to facilitate all aspects of the creation of construction projects.
[09/10/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Compendex Reaches 10 Million Records
Engineering Information recently announced the 10 millionth record has been added to the Compendex® database.
Compendex is the definitive bibliographic database covering published engineering literature, which is used by professional engineers, engineering students, researchers and information professionals worldwide.
"We are extremely proud that the Compendex database continues to keep pace with the ever-growing body of published literature in engineering," explained Ross Graber, Engineering Information’s Director of Marketing. "Even as Compendex reaches the 10 million record milestone, its records continue to be selected and indexed to provide engineering students and professionals with an invaluable tool for their research. Compendex is now more widely used and trusted as a comprehensive source of quality, engineering-specific literature than ever."
[29/08/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Building Control Sub-Category: None
CDM 2007 - Northern Ireland
These Regulations revoke and replace the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1995 and revoke and re-enact, with modifications, the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996.
They implement in Northern Ireland Directive 92/57/EEC on the implementation of minimum safety and health requirements at temporary or mobile construction sites - except requirements which are already implemented in the Work at Height Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005.
The Regulations come into force in Northern Ireland on 9 July 2007 and can be viewed in full here
[26/06/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Journals from ASM International
Springer are providing free access for the next month to journal titles from ASM International. ASM International is the society for materials engineers and scientists, a worldwide network dedicated to advancing industry, technology, and applications of metals and materials.
The titles are:
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B
Journal of Electronic Materials
Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion
Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention
Journal of Thermal Spray Technology
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance
The titles can all be accessed from here.
[29/05/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Free access to Journal of Chemical Sciences
For the next month, access to the Journal of Chemical Sciences, published jointly by Springer and the Indian Academy of Science, is free.
This journal publishes original research articles and rapid communications, covering all areas of chemical sciences.
It is listed in the ISI Journal Citation Report.
For more detailed information see here for the next four weeks.
[23/05/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Journal Citation Ranking Tool
Eigenfactor is a new method of ranking the influence and cost-effectiveness of academic journals.
Eigenfactor ranks journals much as Google ranks websites.
It contains 115,000 reference items, not only ranking scholarly journals in the natural and social sciences, but also listing newsprint, PhD theses, popular magazines and more.
It corrects for differences in citation patterns across
disciplines.
It uses 5-year citation data.
Eigenfactor provides information about journal prices.
Eigenfactor is completely free and completely searchable.
It can be used in conjunction with our subscription service Journal Citation Reports from Thomson ISI to help with your RAE preparations.
For further details, contact your Library Subject Team.
[10/05/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Construction Sub-Category: None
CLG launches Code for Sustainable Homes
The department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has launched what it calls "A step-change in sustainable home building practice" - the Code for Sustainable Homes.
The Code for Sustainable Homes means that designers will be encouraged to create ultra low energy houses, with renewable energy technologies and water saving features set to become standard practice.
The full text of the Code is available in the database Construction Information Service, which you can access from anywhere with your Athens username and password.
[03/05/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Athens Toolbar
Have you downloaded it yet? A very useful, easily downloadable toolbar is available from Athens, enabling you to login and use most of our subscription databases.
The Athens toolbar is an extremely useful facility that enables you to see at a glance all our Athens-enabled resources.
The toolbar, available for Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers, allows direct access to the top academic resources in your subject area.
For more information, contact your subject librarians.
[01/05/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Transport Studies Sub-Category: Roads
Croner's Operational Costings for Transport Management
An important new reference work has been purchased for transport and logistics students.
Croner's Operational Costings for Transport Management is now available in Jordanstown Library at shelfmark 388.324/BEL. It is a vital current awareness and information resource, and is updated regularly with the latest developments in this subject area. As a reference book, it is, unfortunately, not available for loan.
[24/04/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Transport Studies Sub-Category: Roads
New Databases Available Now
Three new essential databases are now accessible for Transport and Logistics students. The databases, produced by Croner, are available with your Athens username and password.
The three databases are:
Reference Book for Exporters - Providing both general and specific guidance, this manual has been helping exporters get the export process right for over 50 years
Reference Book for Importers - Essential guidance on all the relevant documentation and regulations for importing goods from over 60 countries.
Road Transport Operation - the complete guide to the road transport regulations affecting UK operators
Login to the MyAthens page, and then scroll through the resources until you find a link to Croner and CCH Information Resources.
If you need any help with your Athens details, contact Library Staff for help.
[23/04/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Civil Engineering Sub-Category: None
Fatal Injury Statistics
The HSE has issued provisional fatal injury statistics for the first six months of 2006/07
In total, there were 124 worker fatalities from 1 April to 30 September 2006.In terms of members of the public, there were 194 deaths overall; this figure includes suicides and
trespassers on the railways. Five of these deaths occurred in construction.
From 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006, there were 212 worker fatalities.
Combined with the number of deaths to members of the public (384, of which 290 were reported to the
RI), the provisional figure of fatal injuries for the year is 596.
[19/04/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Architecture Sub-Category: None
Biodiversity Lecture Series
PLACE, the joint project between the Royal Society of Ulster Architects and Belfast City Council, is running a series of lectures entitled Linking the Built and Natural Environment.
The lecture series will feature renowned experts who will discuss innovative approaches and solutions to integrating development and biodiversity.
The lectures are as follows:
Integrating Development and Biodiversity - 27 February, 5.30pm, City Hall
Living Roofs - 28 March, 5.30pm, City Hall
Functional Wetlands - 25 April, 5.30pm, City Hall
For more detailed information see here
[19/04/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Architecture Sub-Category: None
Architecture Week 2007
Now in its 11th year, the main theme for Architecture Week 2007 from the 15-24 June 2007 is How Green is Our Space.
Architecture Week is the annual national celebration of contemporary architecture and is organised by the Arts Council England, Royal Institute of British Architects and Architecture Centre Network
[19/04/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Poll for Computing Schools
Place your vote in a new feature on our computing pages!
The current poll, on whether the Internet liberates or undermines democracy, is the latest issue to be debated in our series of computing and IT-related subjects.
[28/03/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Attention Planners!
Planex, a database subscribed to by the University of Ulster, is proving to be very useful in Belfast City Council.
A recent case study highlights how useful Planex was for accessing key critical information for Belfast City Council. The report can be read here.
Planex covers a wide range of subject areas, including:
Urban & Rural Regeneration
Planning & Environment
Social Work Services
Transportation & Roads Infrastructure
Recreation & Leisure
Local Economic Development
Housing
Education, Skills & Lifelong Learning
Estates, Property & Facilities Management
Public Sector Management Issues
You can access Planex with your Athens username and password. If the full text of the article is not available via the Planex website, use the email box at the bottom of the abstract to get a copy of the document you want sent to you.
For further information, please contact your subject librarian.
[16/03/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New ViBEL Poll - Vote Now!
A new subject is up for the vote on the ViBEL page. Sustainable development in rural Northern Ireland is a hot topic right now - what do you think about it?
Read about the issues here - and then cast your vote on the pros and cons of the draft planning legislation proposed for NI's rural areas.
[16/03/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Impact Factors 2006
Thomson Scientific are expected to release last year's impact factors in June 2007.
The Journal Citation Reports is available to the University of Ulster through Web of Knowledge.
"...as soon as a specific date has been advised by Thomson Scientific this will be circulated to relevant email distribution lists".
[07/02/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
SAGE Journals - free online access
SAGE is offering free online access to SAGE journals including newly digitized deep backfile until 28 February, 2007.
SAGE have scanned and digitized over
300,000 articles from their print journal backfiles* and uploaded them to
the SAGE Journals Online platform.
This means over 3.5 million
additional pages are now online across the fields of Business,
Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science, Technology and Medicine, and
even more are on the way soon.
To celebrate, throughout February all content on SAGE Journals Online is
accessible for free**.
As the University of Ulster subscribes to a number of SAGE journals, free
online access to ALL SAGE journals, including the newly digitized
backfile, is available for you, your colleagues, and your students until
28 February, 2007. No registration is required. Just visit SAGE Journals
Online to start accessing articles in your
discipline today!
*Complete backfiles are not available for all titles.
**Free access offer does not include access to the SAGE Full-Text
Collections on SAGE Journals Online.
[06/02/07]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Safari eBook Database - Major Update
The Safari electronic book database, containing hundreds of full-text computing titles, has recently been updated.
Approximately 80 new titles have been added to Safari, including 60 published in the last 12 months. A number of new editions of popular titles have also been added.
To access the 526 full text titles now in Safari, use your Athens username and password. These titles can be accessed from anywhere, with a maximum of 3 simultaneous users at a time. If you have any queries about using this database, please contact a member of your Library subject team.
[31/01/07]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Transport Studies Sub-Category: Airports
'Green' tax on flying
Stephen Nelson, Chief Executive of BAA, has said that the potential imposition of a tax on flying by a future Conservative government would fail to deliver the desired environmental outcome, whilst damaging the aviation industry and UK economy.
He said, “A tax to price people out of flying would not deliver the required environmental result. It would also damage people’s quality of life. Of course we have to minimise the negative effects of flying, but the best solution is an emissions trading scheme which would be both effective and popular.” This coincides with the British Air Transport Association (BATA) poll, conducted by You Gov, which showed that Conservative voters overwhelmingly support emissions trading over ‘green’ taxation on aviation. More than half (51%) believed an emissions trading scheme for aviation, which could come into effect from 2008, is the most cost effective way to cut pollution. Only 30% believed that an additional tax on top of the existing Air Passenger Duty (APD) should be imposed.
[06/11/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Transport Studies Sub-Category: Airports
BAA’s latest traffic figures
BAA’s latest traffic figures reveal UK airports handled a total of 13.6 million passengers in September, an increase of 0.6% on September 2005.
Of the major markets, European scheduled traffic was up 5.1%, and other long-haul traffic grew 5.1%. European charter fell 7.9%, and North Atlantic traffic dipped 2.0%. Domestic and Irish Republic traffic was down 4.9% and 3.4% respectively. The total number of air transport movements at BAA airports rose by 1.2%, while cargo tonnage was down 2.5%. Of the individual airports, Stansted saw the largest growth at 5.6%. Gatwick was up 2.8%, and Southampton up 1.4%. Heathrow’s fell 2.4%. In Scotland, Edinburgh and Aberdeen saw growth of 1.8% and 5.2% respectively. Glasgow fell by 1.1%.
[06/11/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Access Knovel Library - Temporary Trial
The University of Ulster Library has a trial of the Knovel Library database until December 14th, 2006.
1000 full text book titles are available (on-campus only) covering all aspects of engineering, technology and science.
Knovel Library combines essential and authoritative reference books from more than 30 Sci-Tech publishers and professional societies including McGraw Hill, John Wiley, Elsevier, Springer and ASME.
For more information, contact your subject librarians.
[06/11/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ViBEL Reaches a Milestone
The number of visitors to the ViBEL page today reached 25,000.
ViBEL, the Virtual Built Environment Library, was set up in May 2004 to highlight the library resources available for the different subjects taught in the School of Built Environment. Since then, ViBEL has grown from strength to strength, and the high number of visitors over the years reflects the importance of ViBEL to staff and students of the School. ViBEL is being continually maintained and updated - keep visiting!
[01/11/06]
Top of Page
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
Trial - New Engineering Journals
The Library has a one month free trial to the content of Multi-Science Publishing Company
The journal titles on trial are available in our journals database Swetswise.
The titles include:
- Adsorption Science and Technology
- Advances in Structural Engineering
- Building Acoustics
- Energy & Environment
- Energy Exploration & Exploitation
- International Journal of Space Structures
- International Journal of Aeroacoustics
- International Journal of Architectural Computing
- Journal of Low Frequency Noise and Active Control
- Noise & Vibration Worldwide
- Wind Engineering
For more information on accessing these titles, please contact Jim or Mick.
[10/10/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
ASTM Standards
The 2006 version of the Standards for the American Society for the Testing of Materials (ASTM) is now available.
The full text Standards are held on a PC in Jordanstown LRC, opposite the Library's Issue Desk.
Previous users please note that there is now no need for CD-Roms. The Index and Standards are all on the PC.
As a temporary measure, only printing is available at the moment. Anyone who would like to download the Standards in another format, please contact Mick.
[10/10/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Environmental Engineering Sub-Category: None
Municipal waste
New figures from Defra show less municipal waste is being sent to landfill. The figures, part of the first release of data from WasteDataFlow for 2004/5, show a reduction in both the tonnage and the proportion of waste being sent to landfill sites - down from 20.9m tonnes in 2003/04 to 19.9 million tonnes in 2004/05, a 5% decrease.
This is equivalent to every household in England sending around six less black sacks of waste to landfill than they did in the previous year.
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Environmental Engineering Sub-Category: None
Water Service of Northern Ireland
The Water Service of Northern Ireland has published its new environmental policy statement, highlighting its commitment to protecting the environment.
This includes operating an Environmental Management System, which will endeavour to prevent environmental pollution and appropriate training for all employees in environmental aspects of the Water Service's activities. The commitments will be incorporated into Water Services business practices and it will adopt appropriate environmental objectives and targets to progress their achievement. The Water Service will also encourage companies throughout its supply chain to implement this or adopt an equivalent policy.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Construction Sub-Category: None
Construction Training
According to new analysis by ConstructionSkills, a partnership between CITB-ConstructionSkills and CITB Northern Ireland, the industry’s failure to offer basic level training could be costing every small construction business at least Ł1,700 every year.
Their figures show that small construction businesses with between 1 and 49 employees could collectively be wasting Ł193 million every year just through materials errors, skills shortages and on-site accidents – to say nothing of what they could be losing in terms of reputation damage and loss of future earnings. In order to address these issues and encourage smaller businesses to invest in training, ConstructionSkills has launched a new training campaign specifically aimed at this size of the market. The campaign will aim to raise awareness of the range of advice and support available for those businesses interested in investing in training, including free consultations with Company Development Advisers, training support grants, and help with everything from health and safety testing to CSCS cards.
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Quantity Surveying Sub-Category: None
PFI process
The Construction Industry Council has expressed its support for RIBA’s Smart PFI initiative, which has led to the Treasury’s statement that it wishes to see greater design work at the early stages of PFI projects.
CIC has been actively seeking to improve the PFI process since its inception and enable greater participation for CIC members in the process. Concerns about design quality, excessive bid costs, working at risk and the general treatment of risk have been recurrent themes. CIC believe a greater emphasis on design at an earlier stage of PFI projects will not only improve the process but also the quality of buildings produced.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Planning
Sustainable development in the countryside
The Northern Ireland Department of the Environment Planning Service has published advice on how it will apply the recent draft proposals to protect Northern Ireland's countryside.
This is in response to the high number of enquires following the launch of the new draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS 14) ‘Sustainable development in the countryside’ which was published last month. This set out the new policy and will replace the relevant existing policies contained within the rural planning policy document – ‘A planning strategy for rural Northern Ireland’ published in 1993.
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Quantity Surveying Sub-Category: None
Beacon Scheme Awards
Last month, the seventh annual Beacon Scheme awards ceremony recognised innovation by local authorities in delivering quality public services.
The awards were made across 10 themes including Waste and Recycling, Positive Youth Engagement, Improving Rural Services and Transforming the Delivery of Services Through Partnerships. The successful authorities will receive a share of Government funding worth Ł3m to enhance their work in sharing best practice and drive forward further innovation across local government. This year’s event saw the highest number of awards yet, with a total of 61 Beacon awards presented to 85 authorities across the country. More information on the winners can be found here.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Property
Home Information Packs
A timeline for the publication of Home Information Packs has been announced, setting out what Government and industry need to do to ensure that HIPs are successfully launched to consumers on 1 June 2007.
It is hoped this will help to ensure that they remain on track to deliver a product that makes a real difference to buying and selling a home. The detail of the timeline will be further developed in partnership with industry and be continuously updated. A dedicated Government HIP web site is being launched this month here.
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Housing Sub-Category: None
Housing Supply Boost
Last month’s Budget included further plans to boost housing supply and deliver more affordable housing. The proposals plan to help young people get a foot on the housing ladder, provide more homes for rent and improve the environmental sustainability of Britain's homes.
The key measures include: • More support for first-time buyers with the launch of a new Shared Equity Taskforce and tailored help to give people a first step on the housing ladder to be launched next week. • Increased investment of Ł970 million through the National Affordable Housing Programme to deliver 35,000 new low cost home ownership properties over the next two years, ensuring the UK pioneers shared equity to bring home ownership within reach of first-time buyers. The NAHP will also invest significantly in social housing for rent and details will be announced shortly. • Bringing forward public sector land to deliver a further 30,000 new homes, contributing to the 100,000 new homes being provided through public sector land over time. • Piloting an extra homes scheme to invest in bringing sites back into use and build more social housing for rent, potentially reducing Housing Benefit costs. • Ł50 million for the installation of microgeneration technologies like wind turbines for social housing and other buildings to improve the sustainability of development. • Extended support through energy companies to provide subsidised insulation for a quarter of a million installations to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. • Extension of the Landlords Energy Savings Allowance to cover hot water system insulation and draught proofing to incentivise landlords to improve energy efficiency in the private sector. The new measures build on the Government's response to Kate Barker's Review of Housing Supply last year, which set an ambition to increase house building to 200,000 per year to help meet demand and address affordability problems. The National Housing Federation, which represents England's 1400 non-profit housing associations, responded to the Budget statement. Danny Friedman, Director of Policy, said, "As far as it goes, today's Budget provides support for first time buyers on moderate incomes, but fails to tackle the deep-seated problems of housing supply in the UK. Investment in low cost home ownership must be supported by investment in affordable rented housing to meet the needs of the huge backlog of homeless and inadequately housed families on low incomes. We hope that the Comprehensive Spending Review will make this a priority." For further comment, see here.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Housing Sub-Category: None
Campaign to Protect Rural England Warning
The Campaign to Protect Rural England has warned that Government forecasts for the growth in numbers of households over the next two decades (made in ODPM Statistical Release 2006/0042 published last month) represent a massive environmental challenge.
CPRE has claimed that if these projections are translated into new homes built, it would represent more than sixteen square miles of countryside disappearing under new housing estates each year. And with them would come a huge increase in climate changing greenhouse gas emissions, in road traffic and pollution and in consumption of finite natural resources such as water and minerals. According to Government estimates, the building of the average new home is responsible for emissions of greenhouse gases equivalent to 35 tonnes of carbon dioxide, the production of 11.25 tonnes of solid waste and the consumption of 60 tonnes of mineral aggregates. Once built and occupied, the average house will be responsible for 1.25 tonnes of solid wastes and 4.05 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. It will also consume 180 tonnes of water and produce a roughly equivalent quantity of sewage effluent. (These figures are based on a typical 90 square metre new home meeting current Building Regulations and occupied by three people.) CPRE's Policy Director Neil Sinden said, “We do need more homes to cope with a growing population. But we cannot use these projections as instructions for the number of new homes that have to be built in England over the next 20 years. We must take into account the environmental impacts of house building, and think about this issue in the same way as we think about the growth in aviation and road traffic. In one of the world's most built-up, densely-populated developed nations, environmental protection must be part of the equation.”
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Housing Sub-Category: None
EcoHomes Very Good 2006 Standard
As an interim measure all homes with English Partnerships or Housing Corporation funding will meet the new EcoHomes Very Good 2006 standard from 1 April, which is broadly equivalent to Code level three.
BRE published the new voluntary building standard EcoHomes 2006 last month, which will operate as the interim standards while improvements to the Code are developed over the coming months. EcoHomes is the homes version of BREEAM. It provides an authoritative rating for new, converted or renovated homes, and covers both houses and apartments. EcoHomes balances environmental performance with the need for a high quality of life and a safe and healthy internal environment. The issues assessed are grouped into seven categories: energy, water, pollution, materials, transport, ecology and land use, health and well-being. Many of the issues are optional, ensuring EcoHomes is flexible enough to be tailored to a particular development or market. For more information see the EcoHomes web site here.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Quantity Surveying Sub-Category: None
PFI & NHS Confederation
The NHS Confederation, which represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up the NHS throughout the UK, has responded to the treasury announcement on PFI.
Nigel Edwards, Policy Director at the NHS Confederation, said, “The private finance initiative has delivered Ł18 billion of investment in new buildings in the NHS, but it needs modernising to make sure that the health service gets the most out of it. We need to improve capacity in the NHS to manage these highly complex procurements - there is a shortage of planning expertise which is a constraint on getting the best out of the PFI process. Therefore, the announcement by the Treasury of an ‘operational taskforce’ to advise public authorities on PFI matters is to be welcomed.”
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Health and Safety Sub-Category: None
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
The HSE has also reminded employers that the ‘Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005’ come into force on 6 April. The 2005 Regulations will replace the existing ‘Noise at Work Regulations 1989’.
The new legislation puts the emphasis on identifying measures to eliminate or reduce risks from exposure to noise at work rather than simply relying on hearing protection, although this may also be needed in the short term. Workplaces, which fell within the scope of the 1989 Regulations, should already have measures in place and the main effect is likely to be a need to review their risk assessments and prioritise their noise-control measures. Employees whose use of hearing protection under the 1989 Regulations was advisory will now have to wear the protection supplied.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Civil Engineering Sub-Category: None
Revised CDM Regulations
The Health and Safety Executive has announced that the revised ‘Construction, Design and Management, (CDM) Regulations’ will be implemented in Spring 2007.mc=16
The Regulations will revise and bring together provisions in the existing CDM Regulations 1994 and the ‘Construction, Health Safety and Welfare, (CHSW) Regulations 1996’ into a single regulatory package. The latest draft of the CDM regulations, together with a draft of the AcoP, are available. The Regulations have been restructured into parts covering general duties applicable to all construction work, additional duties for notifiable projects, and general provisions with former CHSWR provisions previously contained in a Schedule now integrated into the body of the Regulations.
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Environmental Engineering Sub-Category: None
Urban drainage
Defra has published a questionnaire to identify pilot sites for developing integrated approaches to urban drainage.
The questionnaire is aimed at key operating bodies and stakeholders, and includes questions on sources of flooding, its severity, work done to investigate the problem, and stakeholders involved. Defra welcomes responses from stakeholders who believe a flooding problem requiring an integrated solution exists but do not have the means or capacity to resolve it themselves. A number of pilot projects across England are sought, where examples of best practice in organisational approach, technical solutions and stakeholder collaboration can be applied. The work is being taken forward as part of 'Making Space for Water', the developing Government-wide strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management and funding is available to support the development of partnerships at the selected pilot sites over the next 18 months. The questionnaire and further details are available on the Defra web site here . Completed questionnaires must be returned to Defra by 8 May 2006.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Fire Studies Sub-Category: None
House fire statistics
House fires account for most of the 45 fire fatalities that occur on average every year in Ireland. To counter this, the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has made new Fire Safety Building Regulations (known as Part B), and published a new edition of the Technical Guidance Document on how to comply with the Part B Regulations.
A key requirement of the amended Part B regime is an increase in the number of domestic fire alarms required in a typical house, from two at present (smoke alarms in hall and landing) to four. The new Regulations will now require the installation of a heat detector in the kitchen and a smoke alarm in the living room. These will be mains-operated alarms, which will also require a battery standby so that alarms will operate even when there is a temporary interruption in electricity supply. The alarms will also be interconnected, so that the triggering of one alarm automatically sets off the other alarms. The additional alarms will be required in new dwellings commencing on or after 1 June 2006. However, as is the case with all new Building Regulation requirements the operative date is subject to the transitional arrangements to allow the industry time to adjust to the new regime. In this case there is an exemption from the 1 June deadline for new buildings for which planning permission is applied for on or before 31 May 2006 and which are substantially complete by 31 May 2009. This transitional arrangement is designed to avoid delays in the commencement of work on new buildings, at an advanced stage of design and planning. The new Regulations and Technical Guidance Document also incorporate European Union standards and testing regimes for ‘Reaction to fire’ and ‘Resistance to fire’ in relation to construction materials, products and systems and amend requirements relating to escape windows and atria in commercial buildings.
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Planning
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill
The ‘Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill’, which received Royal Assent last month, Bill will, among other measures, create a new integrated agency, Natural England, to act as an independent and powerful guardian of the natural heritage.
It will also formally establish a Commission for Rural Communities as an expert advisory body watching out for the interests of rural communities and people, especially those suffering economic disadvantage and social exclusion
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Environmental Engineering Sub-Category: None
Climate Change Programme Review
The Climate Change Programme Review announced last month set out an ambitious programme across Government to tackle climate change domestically and to secure agreement on action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.0
The measures to reduce emissions target every sector of the economy and include: • A stricter emissions cap for industry; • Measures to encourage the uptake of biofuels in petrol; • Tighter building regulations; • Measures to improve household energy efficiency; • A renewed emphasis on encouraging and enabling the general public, businesses and public authorities to help achieve the Government's targets and • Increased levels of microgeneration. The Programme is expected to reduce the UK's emissions of greenhouse gases to 23-25% below base year levels and reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions to 15-18% below 1990 levels by 2010. The new policies in the Programme will reduce carbon emissions by some 7-12Mt by 2010. This takes the Government close to its domestic target of a 20% reduction by 2010. However, higher than anticipated levels of economic growth and the recent rises in global energy prices which have altered the relative prices of coal and gas have led to increased emissions and made the target more challenging. The Review aims to address this. From next year, the Government will report annually to Parliament on progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and its future work programme. It will also build on this, and consider other aspects of recent proposals for the introduction of "carbon budgeting". The Climate Change Programme can be found here.
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
Energy (Miscellaneous) (Provisions) Bill, 2006
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources also announced the publication of the new ‘Energy (Miscellaneous) (Provisions) Bill, 2006’. Having secured Government agreement to publish the Bill, Minister Dempsey said, "This is a key statutory initiative driving forward a progressive energy agenda against a backdrop of a new global energy landscape with increasing demands on fuel resources."
The main provisions of the Bill are: • to expand the functions of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to underpin its work on an all-island energy market; • to remove a legislative constraint to facilitate regulated electricity interconnection not owned by ESB; • to provide for the taking of emergency measures, by means of Ministerial Order, in the event of a sudden crisis in the energy market; • to confer power on the Minister to issue policy directions to the CER; • to provide for the regulation of the electrical contracting sector by the CER; • to make provision in relation to gas safety in the context of the new multi-operator environment; • to facilitate full gas market opening; • to provide a casting vote to the Chairperson of the CER, and to provide for the appointment of an acting Chairperson; • to address a technical anomaly by allocating an ESB shareholding to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources from the Minister for Finance; • to amend the definition of combined heat and power (CHP) as required by EU Directive 2004/8/EC; and • to address other minor technical anomalies in the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
Domestic renewable heat technologies
The Department for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in Ireland has launched a grant aid scheme of up to €27m for domestic renewable heat technologies.
The "Greener Homes" scheme will allow individual householders to obtain grants for the installation of renewable technologies including wood pellet stoves and boilers, solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. The package will also provide funding for a wood chip/pellet boiler programme for small to medium scale enterprises, combined heat and power and a biofuels capital grants programme to underpin a €205m excise relief programme. The scheme was agreed in last year's Budget and is part of a multi-annual finance package of €65m for renewable energy that will also include grants for a range of renewable heat, electricity and transport initiatives.ü
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
Photovoltaic industry
A new group of industrialists, scientists and companies involved in the rapidly growing photovoltaic industry has been launched in Wales.ŁŹ
The Welsh Opto-electronics Forum’s Photovoltaic (PV) Group will work closely with the private and public sectors to secure greater involvement for Wales in this international industry, attracting new investment and creating additional quality employment opportunities for Wales. The PV Group also has an ambitious plan to promote PV solar energy in Wales, with the twin benefits of a driver for renewable energy and an engine for sustainable economic growth.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Civil Engineering Sub-Category: None
NI School building programme
The Department of Education in Northern Ireland has also announced a Ł380 million school building programmet.com
Education Minister, Angela Smith, said, "We must ensure that schools are sustainable and can provide high quality education in a cost effective manner for the benefit of both children and teachers. We are challenged therefore with the need to be smarter in our longer term planning, so that we use all the resources available to best effect." The procurement route for the schools is still to be confirmed. The Department of Education and the Strategic Investment Board will be addressing this shortly and schools will be advised in the near future.
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Civil Engineering Sub-Category: None
Educational buildings
The Department for Education and Skills has announced the new Primary Capital Programme, which aims to transform half of all primary school buildings with additional investment of Ł1.15 billion and up to Ł7 billion extra in total over the course of the programme.
There are around 18,000 primary schools, although most are more than 25 years old with 60% built between 1945 and 1976. The proposals for consultation will involve demolishing or rebuilding over 900 of the worst condition primary schools and significantly improving a further 8,000 primary schools across the country by 2022. The new buildings will be purpose-built and eco-friendly with high design standards. For more detailed information see here. Additional design advice and ideas are available in a range of DfES guidance, including Building Bulletin 99 ‘Briefing framework for primary school projects', 'Design schools for extended services' and 'Primary capital ideas'.
[08/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Civil Engineering Sub-Category: None
Airtightness of ceilings
BRE estimates that 20% of air entering a house leaves via the loft, thus adding to the risk of condensation and reducing the energy efficiency of the roof.mb=16
BRE Information Paper 2006/4 ‘Airtightness of ceilings – energy loss and condensation risk’ describes the airflow routes between a house and its loft and the steps that can be taken to reduce the flow. The methods for measuring the airtightness of ceilings are discussed and a method for assessing condensation risk is proposed.
[08/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Environmental Health Sub-Category: None
Asbestos containing textured coatings
New research on asbestos has confirmed that the risks from asbestos containing textured coatings (TCs) are much lower than previously thought. Textured coatings contain only small amounts of asbestos and this is bound in a matrix that does not readily release asbestos fibres when removed.
The new research is based upon the Health and Safety Commission's draft amendments to asbestos regulations, which have recently been the subject of consultation. The proposed changes aim to tighten overall controls and include a lower single control limit of 0.1 fibres per cmł for work with all types of asbestos. HSE will be discussing the results of the new research with stakeholder representatives this month. HSE plans to make final recommendations to the HSC in May, with a view to introducing the revised Regulations on 1 October 2006. HSE will also publish a single ACoP, which will include requirements for work with TCs. The new research is available on the HSE web site.
[03/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Fire Studies Sub-Category: None
New Fire Safety Building Regulations - RoI
The Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in Ireland has made new Fire Safety Building Regulations (known as Part B), and published a new edition of the Technical Guidance Document on how to comply with the Part B Regulations.ŔŔŔŔŔŔ
A key requirement of the amended Part B regime is an increase in the number of domestic fire alarms required in a typical house, from two at present (smoke alarms in hall and landing) to four. The new Regulations will now require the installation of a heat detector in the kitchen and a smoke alarm in the living room. These will be mains-operated alarms, which will also require a battery standby so that alarms will operate even when there is a temporary interruption in electricity supply. The alarms will also be interconnected, so that the triggering of one alarm automatically sets off the other alarms.
The additional alarms will be required in new dwellings commencing on or after 1 June 2006. However, there is an exemption from the 1 June deadline for new buildings for which planning permission is applied for on or before 31 May 2006 and which are substantially complete by 31 May 2009. This transitional arrangement is designed to avoid delays in the commencement of work on new buildings, at an advanced stage of design and planning.
The new Regulations and Technical Guidance Document also incorporate European Union standards and testing regimes for ‘Reaction to fire’ and ‘Resistance to fire’ in relation to construction materials, products and systems. These standards are required under the Construction Products Directive. The new legislation also ends, with effect from 1 September 2006, the exemption from the Building Regulations of electricity generation, distribution and transmission stations. Other highlights of the amended Part B (Fire Safety) building code regime include: • Escape windows from dwellings. Escape windows from dwellings are an important secondary means of escape from bedrooms in the event of fire. Minimum dimensions are being revised to require an unobstructed opening area of at least 0.33 m˛, with a minimum width and height of 450mm. The fitting of restrictors is now recommended to restrict the initial opening of escape windows, in the interest of child safety, as recommended by the National Safety Council. • Atria (commercial buildings). The provision of an atrium has become more popular in recent times in public and commercial buildings. These can act as a smoke reservoir and endanger people in lifts running up an atrium. The Regulations require these issues to be addressed in the design of Atria and designers are also asked to take into account the smoke integrity of lifts. • Electrical, plumbing services etc. The Regulations require that the installation of services in a building should not affect the integrity of fire compartmentation of timber/steel framed construction, for example, by installing wiring in ducts or false ceilings.
[03/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Building Control Sub-Category: None
Building Regulations 2000 for England and Wales
Ministers have approved amendments to the Building Regulations 2000 for England and Wales, which set mandatory standards that every new home must meet.
The regulations, which were laid in Parliament last month and come into effect on 6 April, raise the energy efficiency of new buildings by 40% compared to 2002. The new Regulations will also improve compliance by requiring air pressure testing for new buildings, simplifying the process for calculating energy performance and establishing new competent persons self-certification schemes. The revised regulations set overall performance standards for new buildings but do not prescribe particular methods for meeting them in order to allow flexibility in design. However the requirement to meet these standards provides a strong incentive for developers to make much greater use of energy saving insulation, more efficient boilers and consider using low or zero carbon systems such as solar panels and mini-wind turbines to demonstrate compliance.
The amendments are contained in SI 2006/652 ‘Building and Approved Inspectors (Amendment) Regulations 2006’ which amends both the ‘Building Regulations 2000’ and the ‘Building, Approved Inspectors etc, Regulations 2000’. This introduces a revised Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) into Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations and revokes the current Parts L1 and L2. It also introduces new regulations and requirements to implement Articles 3 to 6 of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC). The changes to Part L will have the following effects: • Predicted CO˛ emissions from new buildings will have to be 20% - 28% less than from new buildings built under current Regulations. • Airtightness testing will be mandatory for a sample of new dwellings in every development, and all non-dwellings. Results of tests will have to be fed back into the CO˛ emission calculation. • Where large, non-domestic buildings are extended, ‘consequential improvements’ to the energy performance of the existing building will need to be made. In order to take into account improved levels of airtightness the following changes have been made to Approved Document F: • The performance of background ventilators is now assessed by ‘equivalent’ area instead of ‘free’ area. • Replacement windows should include trickle vents, or other means of providing background ventilation. • The minimum fresh air supply rate to offices has been increased from 8 to 10 litres per second, per person. • Alternative ‘prescriptive’ and ‘performance-based’ methods of showing compliance are now available.
[03/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Architecture Sub-Category: None
Competition Authority’s Final Report on Architects in Ireland661
The publication of the Competition Authority’s Final Report on Architects in Ireland has been welcomed by Mr Dick Roche TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The Minister also said, "the Competition Authority Report makes a number of detailed recommendations on the registration of the title of "Architect", in the interest of consumer protection, as provided for in the Building Control Bill 2005. These recommendations will be carefully considered at the Committee Stage of the Bill".
The Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) has also given a broad welcome to the Competition Authority’s report. RIAI Director, John Graby, said, "Architecture is a client focused profession. RIAI members always strive to provide their clients with the most professional service available. This ethos includes competitiveness and the Competition Authority report recognises this fact. " However, the RIAI did take issue with some of the Authority’s views on the proposed system for the regulation of the profession. The Authority’s view is that, as an overriding principle, regulatory and representative functions should not be combined, on the grounds that there is too much potential for conflict of interest. However, Mr Graby stressed that "the regulation system as currently proposed will be independent. Although administered and funded by the RIAI, there will be independent assessment of admission and conduct. Wholly independent committees, comprised of a majority of non-architects and working to a statutory remit, will carry out these tasks."
[03/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Architecture Sub-Category: None
Architecture Week
Details have been released about this year’s Architecture Week, the annual national public celebration of historical and contemporary architecture in the UK, which this year takes place from 16 – 25 June.=444
This year’s theme is ‘The Power of Ten’ and the week will showcase over 500 events across the UK, featuring celebrated architects and celebrities, exhibitions, talks and tours. Full details of the activities, organised and co-ordinated through Arts Council England, Royal Institute of British Architects and architecture centres across the country, can be found here. www.architectureweek.org.uk
[03/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Transport Studies Sub-Category: Airports
BAA results
BAA plc has issued its trading statement ahead of the company entering its close period on 1 April and the announcement of its results for the twelve months to 31 March 2006 on 16 May.
In the eleven months to 28 February, BAA’s nine airports handled a total of 145.1 million passengers, up 3.1% on the prior year, including 133.2 million for the seven UK airports. Allowing for the later Easter holiday this year, the current trend indicates growth for the UK airports of just over 2% for the full year. In line with expectations, operating costs, driven by higher staff costs, energy prices and business rates, are expected to rise by approximately 8% for the year, excluding operating costs relating to the newly acquired Budapest Airport.n
[03/05/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Construction Sub-Category: None
New construction orders
Orders in the twelve months to January 2006 rose by 8% compared with 2004, and orders in the three months to January 2006 rose by 16% compared to the same period a year earlier.
Orders in the three months to January 2006 rose by 6 % compared to the previous three months, with decreases in private housing, infrastructure and public non-housing orders being offset by increases in public housing, private industrial and private commercial orders. All orders figures quoted are seasonally adjusted and in constant (2000) prices. Additional graphs showing more detailed trends in individual sectors are included in the Statistical Release. The next publication date of ‘New construction orders’ will be 6 April 2006.
[03/05/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Sustainability Sub-Category: None
Sustainable development policy directory
Blackwell Science has published a new reference work on sustainable development.
The ‘Sustainable development policy directory’ provides information on the legal, fiscal and planning frameworks around the global and local sustainability agenda. The Directory addresses each theme in a series of tables, which summarise the policy purpose and also provide web-links to view the specific policy documents. The themes covered include biodiversity, construction, environment, planning, sustainable development policy and practice, waste management and water. The Library has 3 copies of this publication, available at 338.47624025/STR
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Sustainability Sub-Category: None
UK Green Building Council$E1
A prospectus for establishing a UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) was launched last month, with a mission to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of buildings by radically improving the way they are designed, built and managed.šH
The need for existing sustainable construction activities in the UK to be consolidated in order to provide a clear direction for the industry was identified by The Sustainable Building Task Group. BRE Chief Executive, Martin Wyatt, believes a Green Building Council will do this. “If real transformation is to take place on the scale required, a national coalition is essential to promote and champion the design and construction of sustainable buildings. A UK-GBC would do so in a practical and concerted manner for the benefit UK business as well as the environment.” The Council would be an industry initiative set up and run by stakeholders. For more information or to register interest in becoming a Founding Member, visit here.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Sustainability Sub-Category: None
draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction consultation paperys
A new consultation that aims to provide the Government with a framework to guide future progress in the construction industry has been launched by Alun Michael, Minister of State for Industry and the Regions. The draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction consultation paper will seek views from key construction stakeholders on the direction they think the industry should take with a view to developing and maintaining a more sustainable future.
The review will look at aspects such as building design and the code for sustainable homes, new construction methods and best practice, improved embedded energy systems, waste minimisation, enhancement of biodiversity, greater efficiency in carbon emissions and thorough assessment of the impact of climate change. The consultation is an update of the existing 'Building a better quality of life' produced by the then DETR. It focuses on the principle of sustainable development to which the Government as a whole is signed up to. A copy of the consultation document can be found here
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Structural Engineering Sub-Category: None
Timber for roofs
After a slight delay, BS 5268-3: 2006 ‘Structural use of timber for roofs – code of practice for trussed rafter roofs’ is now available.
This standard covers the design, fabrication and use of trussed rafters for roofs. It provides recommendations on the strength grades of timbers used and gives guidance on structural analysis methods, engineering design criteria and performance requirements for roof bracing, as well as production requirements for truss manufacture. In addition, based on extensive tests, it details the maximum spans for two common truss configurations for a range of member sizes and roof pitches.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Health and Safety Sub-Category: None
Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
The new ‘Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006’ was issued last month.
A new explanatory memorandum, prepared by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, is also now available.
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Transport Studies Sub-Category: None
Walking and cycling
Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, has claimed that a major review of the first five years of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) has made a serious omission. The programme, which sets out the actions Europe needs to take to implement the Kyoto Protocol to reduce CO˛ emissions, has failed to include walking and cycling.
Sustrans, which is a member of the transport expert group, is determined that the importance of non-motorised transport be recognised when the next phase is planned. Sustrans International Liaison Director, Philip Insall, said, “While other major sources of climate change emissions have begun to tackle the problem, transport has continued its emissions growth unabated. It is a step in the right direction that the Commission has invited Sustrans to take part in the review, and this does give us some hope that zero-emission transport will be included in the second ECCP.” For details of Sustrans' key recommendations to the Commission for the second ECCP, see here.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Transport Studies Sub-Category: Roads
National statistics on traffic in Great Britain
The Department for Transport has published the ‘National statistics on traffic in Great Britain’ including analyses by vehicle type and road class, for the fourth quarter of 2005 and 2005 as a whole.«
These provisional figures indicate that estimated traffic levels fell by 0.3 per cent between Q4 2004 and Q4 2005. Traffic is provisionally estimated to have risen by 0.3 per cent between 2004 and 2005 as a whole. Quarterly road traffic statistics can be viewed here
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Transport Studies Sub-Category: Rail
Railway Safety Commission
The new Railway Safety Commission for Ireland was launched last month.đ
Established under the Railway Safety Act 2005, the Railway Safety Commission is responsible for regulating railway safety in Ireland. Its wide-ranging powers include monitoring and inspecting railway infrastructure, investigating and reporting on railway accidents in addition to regulating and enforcing railway safety. The Commission has established close links with its counterparts in Europe, working towards the harmonisation of safety levels of rail transport throughout the EU. Closer to home, the Commission is working in partnership with Northern Ireland Rail to ensure a common approach to rail safety standards exists between the two states.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Planning
Planning and Development, Strategic Infrastructure, Bill 2006
The new ‘Planning and Development, Strategic Infrastructure, Bill 2006’ was published in Ireland last month.˙|
The Bill will introduce a new strategic consent process for major infrastructure of national and public importance. An Bord Pleanála will be restructured by the establishment of a dedicated Strategic Infrastructure Division. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dick Roche, said, "We cannot emphasise enough how badly Ireland needs new and improved infrastructure across a number of areas, to tackle bottlenecks in our economy, to enhance competitiveness, to improve the quality of life for the citizens and to protect our precious environment. Every delay incurred in dealing with an infrastructure project adds to the costs of providing that infrastructure. These costs are not just financial: there are also the costs of lost time and lost opportunities.” Engineers Ireland, the representative body of Ireland’s engineering profession, also welcomed the new Bill. Director General, Kevin Kernan, said, “This measure is for the common good. It is in the interest of all the people of this country, for example, that we have a network of inter-urban motorways, efficient commercial waste disposal facilities, modern wastewater treatment plants and other vital infrastructure needed to keep this country competitive”.
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Planning
Northern Ireland Planning Service
The Northern Ireland Planning Service has announced a further move in its commitment to speed up the planning process.
Over the coming months a new procedure to return all invalid planning applications, together with the fee and reasons for return will be rolled out to all the local planning offices. Details will be available together with guidance on how to complete planning applications on the Planning Service web site here.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Planning
e-planning
New figures released last month show that local planning authorities in England had surpassed tough government standards for e-planning.
The ODPM target is for 80% of LPAs to have "good" or "excellent" e-planning services in place by March 2006. These latest results show this figure has hit 95%, up from just 0.5% in 2003 and 37% last year. The full scores, maps and criteria for LPAs can be viewed at here. Scores are also available for Scotland and Wales. LPAs have received support from the Planning Portal to help them achieve these e-planning improvements. 100% of district LPAs in England now offer on-line planning application submission services via the Portal. More information is available here.
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Planning
TCPA Sustainable Housing Forum
The TCPA Sustainable Housing Forum has also published new guidance that sets out how spatial planning – at local and regional levels - can improve quality of life, reduce the impacts of climate change, and help to prevent future climate chaos by aiming for carbon-neutral development.cn=(
The guide offers step-by-step advice on promoting high energy-efficiency standards to reduce CO2 emissions, reducing the need and propensity to travel by car, promoting small- and large-scale renewable energy projects and rethinking the design and layout of communities. See here.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Housing Sub-Category: None
Exclusive mortgage offer
Halifax, the UK's largest mortgage provider, has launched a new mortgage that will reward owners and builders of sustainable homes.
The exclusive mortgage offer is for customers purchasing new homes from George Wimpey, Crest Nicholson and The Berkeley Group, who recently topped the Sustainability Benchmarking survey produced by WWF and Insight Investment. Paul King, Director of WWF's One Million Sustainable Homes campaign said, "WWF is delighted that Halifax is rewarding the best performing companies, and their customers, with these mortgage products. This is a positive step and should send out a strong message to the house-building industry, with the first evidence of a real market-based incentive to develop sustainable homes.” For more information on WWF’s work on sustainable housing, see the ‘One Million Sustainable Homes Campaign’ web site here.
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Housing Sub-Category: None
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
On the 6 April 2006, the ‘Housing Act 2004’ implements the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to replace the old fitness standard with a risk assessment method.
The HHSRS assesses 29 potential hazards found in housing, including damp, carbon monoxide poisoning, noise, food safety, electrical hazards and structural collapse. Asset Skills, the sector skills council for the places in which we live and work, has combined with professional bodies, trade associations and landlords’ groups to produce free practical guidance to this entirely new system for assessing housing conditions in England and Wales. The guidance has been produced in co-operation with, and with the agreement of, the ODPM.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Architecture Sub-Category: None
Survey of London
A hundred years of research on London 's history is to be made available online thanks to a joint project by English Heritage and the Institute of Historical Research to digitise the Survey of London.
official history of London. Since its foundation in 1894, the Survey has built up an unrivalled reputation for its detailed studies of the capital's architecture and topography. Eight of the Survey's 45 area or 'parish' volumes are now available on the Institute's British History Online web site here. The remaining volumes will be published over the next two years, with completion scheduled for September 2008.
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Architecture Sub-Category: None
Historic buildings in regeneration
The British Property Federation, in collaboration with the RICS and English Heritage, has published ‘Heritage works – the use of historic buildings in regeneration’ a new practical step-by-step guide for creating successful heritage-led regeneration projects.
Heritage Works is the first publication of its kind to combine the expertise of these leading bodies and is designed to be a one-stop reference document for regeneration in the historic environment for developers, owners, practitioners or community groups. It identifies common pitfalls and ways of overcoming them, and includes links to more than thirty other information sources. The publication was funded and advised by English Heritage, the BPF and RICS and researched and written by Drivers Jonas. See here
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Health and Safety Sub-Category: None
Influenza pandemic
The Cabinet Office, in consultation with other government departments, has produced guidance for use in the event of the outbreak of an influenza pandemic.ation
‘Guidance – contingency planning for a possible influenza pandemic’ can be accessed at here
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Health and Safety Sub-Category: None
Domestic gas safety regime
The Health and Safety Executive is undertaking a major review of the domestic gas safety regime.
The HSE wants to ensure the current regime is based on the most sensible approach to managing the risks and commands credibility amongst those involved and affected. The review is also aimed at reducing bureaucracy, simplifying the law, strengthening business participation and ensuring the best use of resources. A stakeholder forum was opened last month and there will be a second forum in September. A report on the review's findings is expected in late autumn 2006. Further information on domestic gas safety issues can be found on the HSE web site at here
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Fire Studies Sub-Category: None
Regulatory Reform, Fire Safety, Order
The ODPM has announced that the 'Regulatory Reform, Fire Safety, Order', made in June 2005, will come into force in October. This will bring new fire safety rules affecting all non-domestic premises in England and Wales and is the biggest overhaul of fire safety legislation in decades.
The main effect of the changes will be a move towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises, including the voluntary sector and self-employed people with premises separate from their homes. Fire certificates will be abolished and will cease to have legal status. Responsibility for complying with the Order will rest with the 'responsible person'. In a workplace, this is the employer and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises e.g. the occupier or owner. In all other premises the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible. There will also be a series of guides published to assist those preparing fire risk assessments. More information is available at here.
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Health and Safety Sub-Category: None
Workplace Health Connect
A new, free advisory service on workplace health for smaller businesses has been launched. Workplace Health Connect aims to reduce the incidence of workplace ill health, which leads to 28 million working days lost, at an estimated cost of Ł10 billion to the UK economy.
Delivered in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive, the service will provide free, impartial and practical advice and support on health, safety and return to work issues. A Workplace Health Connect web site explaining the service can be accessed at here.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
Sustainable Energy Awards 2006
Sustainable Energy Ireland has announced the launch of this year’s Sustainable Energy Awards 06.h
The Awards are intended to encourage, recognise and reward excellence in energy management in the industrial, commercial and public sectors. The awards will focus on individuals, groups and organisations who demonstrate a commitment to include energy management as part of their overall management structure and provide an opportunity for organisations, regardless of size, to gain public recognition for their achievements in reducing energy use and emissions. A new category has been added for ‘Renewable Energy Projects’ and where applicable changes have been made to make the awards scheme more attractive to Small and Medium Enterprises. See here
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
Northern Ireland's renewable energy capacity
New legislation being introduced to Parliament last month will make a significant contribution to the development of Northern Ireland's renewable energy capacity and will facilitate the development of a single electricity market on the island of Ireland.
Outlining the energy clauses in the ‘Northern Ireland, Miscellaneous Provisions, Bill’, Enterprise Minister, Angela Smith said, ‘This legislation is a vital element in the strengthening of Northern Ireland's electricity market and in the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies which will help Northern Ireland harness its natural resources to provide heat and power, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, providing more stable energy prices and securing a cleaner environment for future generations.’ A copy of the Bill and Explanatory Notes can be found here
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
A new report on wind power
A new report on wind power has also been welcomed by Scottish Renewables.1142248
The ‘Matching renewable electricity generation with demand’ report, a detailed study into renewable energy generation by the Scottish Executive, is available here
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Construction Sub-Category: None
Output and employment in the construction industry
New statistics from the Department of Trade and Industry,
The total volume of construction output in 2005 fell by one per cent compared to the previous year, the first fall in the industry since 1994. Overall new work fell over the same period, despite increases in the private housing, private industrial and commercial sectors. Repair and maintenance was unchanged, with increases in the public housing and public non-housing R&M being offset by a decrease in the private housing sector. Output in the fourth quarter of 2005 was unchanged compared to the third quarter both in volume terms and in current prices. For more detailed information see here.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Civil Engineering Sub-Category: None
Timber Decking Association
The Timber Decking Association has relaunched its web site for 2006.5FID
www.tda.org.uk is an online resource for all those seeking information andk advice about timber decking in the UK. The site contains information and advice on every aspect of decking design and construction, including guidance on planning and building regulations, selecting the right timber for outdoor use and principles of good design. One new innovation is the "Where to buy" feature for materials and contractors which locates TDA approved installers or stockists of DeckMark™ quality assessed timber components.
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Building Control Sub-Category: None
New climate change regulations
The Government has announced a tightening of the timeframe for the building industry to comply with new climate change regulations in England and Wales.
Transitional arrangements have been cut from the usual maximum of three years to just 12 months to speed up take up of the Regulations to maximise their impact on climate change. All new buildings without full building plans approved by 6 April 2006 must comply with the new Part L Building Regulations, which increase the energy efficiency of new buildings by 20% from April, and by 40 per cent since 2002. The revisions to Part L will set maximum carbon dioxide emissions for whole buildings. This performance-based approach will offer designers the flexibility to choose solutions that best meet their needs, and that are cost-effective and practical. However, the revisions to Part L will raise performance standards to a level that will provide a strong incentive to designers to consider low and zero carbon systems. These regulations have already been brought in two years ahead of schedule. The last time Part L was updated in 2002 the building industry had three years from the lodging of plans in which to commence work under the transitional arrangements. Building work which has already received full building plans approval where work has not yet started will need to begin before 1 April 2007 rather than the usual three year period in order to be covered by the transitional arrangements this time. Smaller building works that have not started before 6 April which do not require full building plans approval will need to comply straight away unless contracts have already been signed. Where contracts have been entered into before 6 April, they will need to commence work within 6 months to be covered by the transitional arrangements. This will ensure that smaller builders and householders who may not be fully aware of the technical changes are not unreasonably affected.®u¦)®u
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Health and Safety Sub-Category: None
Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
The ‘Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006’, SR 2006/312, has been published.g
The Order amends the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, to introduce a duty on public authorities not to discriminate against disabled persons with whom they come into contact, and to make the necessary adjustments, including taking reasonable steps, with regard to physical features. It also imposes similar obligations on private clubs not to discriminate against disabled people, including ensuring access to facilities and membership of the club, and to make any necessary adjustments. Controllers of let premises also may not discriminate against disabled tenants. In the case of improvements to dwelling houses, this Order prevents landlords from unreasonably withholding consent with regard to the necessary work required to make the premises accessible.
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Construction Sub-Category: None
Construction Industry Indicators
In Ireland, the latest edition of the quarterly e-zine, which tracks trends in the Irish construction industry, has also been published. The Construction Industry Indicators report, produced independently by DKM Economic Consultants, comments on a broad range of data produced by key sources within the Industry during the final quarter of 2005.
Commenting on the report the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr Dick Roche, said, "The strong performance of the construction sector and the level of confidence as regards ongoing investment is good news for our economy. An important fact that sometimes gets lost is that the positive effects of both house building and commercial investment are being seen right across all regions of the country. Development is no longer just a Dublin phenomenon". For more detailed information see here.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Housing Sub-Category: None
New house building starts and completionsí
New statistics presenting figures on new house building starts and completions in England and its regions up to the quarter ending December 2005 have been published.14
It reveals trends in housing starts in England have levelled off during the last four quarters after a period of steady increase since 2002/03. Completions have continued an upward trend. The next quarterly release will be published on 19 May 2006 and will cover house building from the January to March Quarter 2006. For more detailed information see here.
[13/03/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Construction Sub-Category: None
New Construction Orders
Orders in 2005 rose by seven per cent compared with 2004, and orders in the fourth quarter of 2005 rose by 12 per cent compared to the same quarter a year earlier.
Orders in the fourth quarter of 2005 rose by seven per cent compared to the previous quarter, with decreases in private housing, infrastructure and public non housing orders being offset by increases in public housing, private industrial and private commercial orders. All orders figures quoted are seasonally adjusted and in constant (2000) prices. For more detailed information see here.
[13/03/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Subscription to AIP Journals
The Library has recently subscribed to online journals published by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).
There is full archival access to 10 key journals published by the American Institute of Physics, and AIP Conference proceedings from 2000. The journal titles include Applied Physics Letters and Journal of Applied Physics. All journals and proceedings are available on-campus only. Ask Library staff for more details.
[13/02/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Subscription to ASME Journals
The Library has recently subscribed to online journals published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
The subscription allows access to all 21 journal titles published by ASME from 2003 onwards. They are available on Jordanstown campus only. For more details contact Library staff.
[25/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
New Electronic Books Available
Hundreds of new electronic books are now available online via SpringerLink.
The subject coverage concentrates on Computing, Engineering, Earth Sciences and Environmental Sciences. The titles may be accessed from anywhere using your Athens username and password. Contact Engineering Library staff for further information.
[23/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Health and Safety Sub-Category: None
Asbestos Advisory Service
The HSENI has announced the creation of a new regional Asbestos Advisory Service aimed at providing information and advice to small businesses, the voluntary and community sector and to householders in Northern Ireland on how to manage safely asbestos found in many commercial, public and domestic premises.
The focus is on the provision of independent and authoritative advice and information provision to complement the extensive legal and licensing measures already in place to control the risks from asbestos in the workplace. Help line contact details for the service can be found here.
[23/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Architecture Sub-Category: None
Thatched structures in Ireland
A new report on the ‘Present and future protection of thatched structures in Ireland’ estimates that only 2,000 thatched roofs survive in the whole country.
It also highlights the loss in Northern Ireland, from approximately 40,000 in the 1950s, to the 150 that survive today. The report, by Consarc Conservation Architects, was commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and overseen by the Environment and Heritage Service (Northern Ireland), the Office of Public Works, the Heritage Council and Wexford County Council. It includes useful data for owners of thatched buildings, their professional advisers and the building industry, and includes lists of thatchers, suppliers of thatching materials and insurers for thatched houses. Mr Roche, the DEHLG Minister, said, "I will be sending copies to all the relevant stakeholders and hope it will finalise an approach on how we implement the actions necessary to save our surviving stock of thatched buildings." Volume 1 ‘Action plan’ and Volume 2 ‘Supporting information‘ can be found here and here.
[23/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Planning
Reforming the planning system
The Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland has announced a consultation on legislation to reform the planning system.
The changes contained in the draft legislation could speed up the development control and appeal processes, strengthen control in protecting and enhancing the built and natural environment and improve enforcement and assist the preparation of development plans. The consultation is another step in the DOE's ‘Planning to deliver’ programme to modernise and reform the planning system. Environment Minister, Jeff Rooker, who announced the start of consultation, said, "The legislative changes are part of the commitments made in the Modernising Planning Processes Implementation Plan launched in February 2003 and have the potential to deliver the most significant reforms to the planning system over the last 30 years. I am confident this will lead to a much improved planning system which will benefit all those involved in the planning process. I encourage everyone to contribute to the consultation exercise." The ‘Planning reform, Northern Ireland Order and explanatory memorandum’ can be found here.
[23/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Sustainability Sub-Category: None
Integrated Coastal Zone Management draft strategy
The Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland has launched a public consultation on the Integrated Coastal Zone Management draft strategy, which is intended to set out long-term objectives for achieving sustainable coastal management in Northern Ireland.
Copies of the document are available here.
[23/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Environmental Engineering Sub-Category: None
Water Services Investment Programme 2005 – 2007
New plans to invest €5.1bn on new water and sewerage infrastructure throughout Ireland were announced last month. The Water Services Investment Programme 2005 – 2007 includes 899 individual schemes of which 193 are scheduled to begin construction next year. "
A further 191 schemes will start in 2007. At present there are 59 schemes under construction. Dick Roche Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, said he was "radically reducing the red tape involved in getting projects from planning to construction" and that he was confident this would greatly help to meet the targets. Under the new streamlined approval procedures, once a local authority has received preliminary sanction from the Minister, a scheme costing up to €5m can now proceed to construction without any further clearance being required from the Department. This will apply to 291 of the 899 approved schemes and will significantly reduce delays in the approval process.
[12/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Planning
Planning Performance Checklist
The half-yearly Planning Performance Checklist of local authorities' handling of planning applications was published last month, which shows how local planning authorities reached decisions on planning applications in the year ending September 2005.
It reveals local planning authorities determined, on average, 61% of major planning applications within 13 weeks, 71% of minor planning applications and 85% of other planning applications within 8 weeks. These reflect an improvement of 4 percentage points for processing major applications, a 3 percentage point increase for determining minor applications, and a 3 percentage point increase for determining other applications from the previous Planning Performance Checklist published in June 2005. Planning Minister, Yvette Cooper said, "LPAs have improved their planning performance with more applications being decided quickly, however we know more still needs to be done both to speed up the process and ensure a high quality planning service that reaches sensible decisions in the interest of the community. That is why we are supporting further reform to the planning system including a new review by Kate Barker of planning for economic development." To improve performance in this area, the ODPM is offering additional funding to the Planning Advisory Service and Advisory Team on Large Applications to expand their support programmes for under-performing LPAs. For more details, see here.
[12/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Housing Sub-Category: None
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) Regulations994
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/3208), which come into force on 6 April, have been published.d=(
These regulations, made in terms of Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004, which introduces the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, an evidence-based system for assessing housing conditions, prescribe descriptions of hazards, the method for assessing the seriousness of hazards, and the manner and extent of inspections of residential premises to see whether category 1 or 2 hazards exist.
[12/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Architecture Sub-Category: None
Design for Manufacture d
John Prescott has announced the successful bidders for a further four sites in his Design for Manufacture competition to construct quality homes for Ł60,000. He called on all housebuilders to follow the example set by the bidders and offer quality homes that are designed around the needs of people.cmd=(
He said, "My Ł60,000 home competition has proved wrong those critics who claimed you can't have both quality and quantity. People deserve decent, affordable homes with good access to jobs, public services and green spaces. But there is no reason why new homes should not also be of high quality design - innovative, attractive and focused on the needs of the people who will live in them.” Construction of the first Design for Manufacture homes is expected to start in Spring 2006. A publication highlighting the lessons learnt from the competition, together with a public exhibition to showcase the Ł60,000 home designs are also planned for 2006. Images and further details of the successful bidders are available here.
[12/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Housing Sub-Category: None
Proposals for introducing a code for sustainable homes
Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has pledged that environmental standards would be tightened so that new homes and communities would be sustainable as well as affordable. Among the range of environmental measures is the new Consultation Paper ‘Proposals for introducing a code for sustainable homes’, which incorporates standards for energy, water, waste and materials.
The Code builds on the approach of the EcoHomes standard and will set star ratings for home buyers on the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of new homes. The first star rating will be more comprehensive and demanding than current building regulations, and the highest star rating will require cutting edge technology to achieve carbon neutral development. This also builds on measures already taken to increase the energy efficiency of new homes by 40%, since 2002. Yvette Cooper said, “This shows that we can improve environmental protection and build new homes at the same time. By making more efficient use of water and materials and improving the environmental protections in the planning system we will ensure that the new homes we need are built in a more sustainable way.” It is envisaged the new Code will signal a new direction for building standards. The consultation period ends on 6 March.
[12/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Environmental Health Sub-Category: None
Strategy for the prevention of workplace accidents, injuries and illnesses
Ireland’s Health and Safety Authority has published ‘Strategy for the prevention of workplace accidents, injuries and illnesses (2004-2009).
It focuses on reaching the widest possible audience with an accessible and compelling message, to encourage successful health and safety practices in the workplace. The document can be viewed here.
[12/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Environmental Health Sub-Category: None
Smoking in public places
The CIEH, whose members will be responsible for enforcing the forthcoming smoking legislation, has described the proposals for the partial curb on smoking in public places as contradictory, complex and unenforceable, leaving environmental health practitioners struggling to enforce the partial ban in pubs and clubs.
The professional institution is calling for a comprehensive, unambiguous and positive legal measure to protect all employees and members of the public from the significant risks associated with second-hand smoke. The CIEH’s new release in connection with this can be found here.
[12/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
New energy standards for new shops and offices in Ireland
New energy standards for new shops and offices in Ireland will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50,000 tonnes a year, it is claimed. Environment Minister Dick Roche said the new energy regulations were part of the Government’s plan to meet its commitments under the Kyoto Treaty and that ” higher thermal performance and insulation standards for new non-domestic buildings will reduce CO˛ emissions by an estimated 50,000 tonnes per annum by the end of 2012,”
However, Ireland is still expected to exceed its agreed limits for emissions of greenhouse gasses under the Kyoto Treaty by nearly 40% by 2010, and may face millions of euro in fines. The new energy regulations will apply to offices, shops, factories and leisure centres which are built after July 1 next year. However, businesses that apply for planning permission before that date and complete their buildings within two years will be exempt. Mr Roche has said that CO˛ emissions from new dwellings would fall by at least 250,000 tonnes per year by due to the increased insulation standards introduced in 2003. Also the current standards for new dwellings will be subject to review in 2008 in accordance with an EU requirement to review building energy performance standards every 5 years. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) will publish the details of the new energy standards for new houses early next year.
[11/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
Irish renewable energy news
In Ireland, a major multi annual financial package to support renewable energy across the electricity, heat and transport sectors was announced last month.ation
The package of measures includes a five year biofuels excise relief package costing in excess of €200m and funding for renewable energy schemes costing up to €65m. It will assist the large-scale deployment of renewable sources of energy over the next five years in these sectors. For more information on the four critical areas of the Programme, including biofuels, biomass, combined heat and power and grants for householders see www.dcmnr.ie. www.dcmnr.ie
[11/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Energy Sub-Category: None
Alternative energy news
A new report from the Energy Saving Trust, claims that mini wind turbines, solar panels and other small scale technologies could provide a substantial portion of the UK's energy needs by 2050.
It also finds that microgeneration technologies could deliver significant household carbon reductions in the future with the right circumstances in place. The report, ‘Potential for microgeneration, study and analysis’ was commissioned by the DTI to inform the Low Carbon Building programme and the wider microgeneration strategy, that is to be published in Spring 2006. It has looked at the current status of the industry and perceived barriers to the wider uptake of the different types of technology. It has also suggested when each of these technologies could become more cost effective. A full copy of the report can be obtained at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/consultations/pdfs/microgeneration-est-report.pdf.
[11/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Health and Safety Sub-Category: None
Office for Disability Issueste
The Office for Disability Issues has been officially launched, with a dedicated website here.
The new cross-government office will ensure that disabled people are considered a priority right throughout their lives by government. The aim will be to focus government on improving outcomes and securing equal opportunities for disabled individuals and families in public services. A new campaign has also at the same time been launched to encourage small businesses to make disabled accessibility an important issue, emphasising that only reasonable adjustments are necessary to comply with the DDA..
[11/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Environmental Engineering Sub-Category: None
Contaminated land
BRE Report 485 ‘Brownfield sites - integrated ground engineering strategy’ provides authoritative guidance on the investigation, treatment and foundation design for building development on brownfield and landfill sites.
This strategy takes a risk-based approach and covers hazard assessment and risk mitigation in detail. The nature of brownfield hazards is explained, and critical outlines of the numerous ground treatment and remediation techniques are given, together with information on which decisions about treatment and remediation can be based. It will be especially valuable for developers, designers, contractors, site investigation specialists and regulators.9
[11/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Building Control Sub-Category: None
Ireland’s new Building Control Bill 2005
Ireland’s new Building Control Bill 2005 is one of the most progressive pieces of consumer law to be brought forward in recent decades. The Bill achieves this on a number of levels:
• It will assure the public calling themselves Architects, Building Surveyors and Quantity Surveyors are properly qualified.
• It strengthens the enforcement of Building Control law to ensure that Ireland's high building control standards are fully adhered to.
• It provides for the energy rating of houses and commercial buildings – together with new Building Regulations these measures will bring long term cost savings to householders and business and help meet Ireland's greenhouse gas emission obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
[11/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Property and Planning Sub-Category: Planning
Planning applications Down
In the third quarter of 2005, district planning authorities in England received 161 thousand applications for planning permission and other related consents.
This is 8 percentage points lower than in the corresponding period last year and appears now to reflect a change from the long term trend of growth in the numbers of planning applications received. The number of applications received decreased in all regions compared with the same quarter a year ago. The largest decreases were in the North West (13%) and the North East (12%) and the smallest in the West Midlands (4%) . District planning authorities made 159 thousand planning decisions in the third quarter of 2005, 10 per cent lower than a year earlier. All regions saw a decrease in the number of decisions. The largest decreases were in the North West (15%), East of England (13%) and the East Midlands (12%). The smallest decreases were the South East and London, down 8% each.
[11/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Housing Sub-Category: None
Latest Housing Statistics
The annual 2005 compendium of housing statistics for the UK has been published
Nearly 153,000 new dwellings (excluding conversions and change of use) were completed in England during the financial year ending 31 Mar 04. This is the third year running where there has been a significant increase over the previous year. The latest increase, at 6% is the highest of the three annual increases. See herefor details.
[11/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Construction Sub-Category: None
New construction order statistics October 2005
The Department of Trade and Industry issued their statistics for ‘New construction orders’ October 2005, last month.pWť
Orders in the year to October 2005 rose by 7% compared to orders in the previous twelve month period, and orders in the three months to October 2005 rose by 16% compared to the same period a year earlier. Orders in the three months to October 2005 fell by two per cent compared to the previous period, with decreases in all sectors except public and housing association orders and private commercial orders. All orders figures quoted are seasonally adjusted and in constant (2000) prices. For more information, see here.
[11/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Building Control Sub-Category: None
Revisions to Part F ‘Conservation of fuel and power’ of the NI Building Regulations
The Department of Finance and Personnel has announced the revisions that will be made to Part F ‘Conservation of fuel and power’ of the Northern Ireland Building Regulations.
The revisions, which were to have been made by 6 Jan 06 in order to meet the implementation requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, will now come into force in Jun 06. They will contribute to the reduction in carbon emissions and implement a number of requirements of the Directive. The revised regulations will: Introduce a "Whole Building Approach" to the province based on the calculated energy performance of buildings using defined national calculation methodologies;
• Set energy performance requirements that achieve a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 40% on current standards;
• Introduce a requirement to consider the installation of alternative energy sources such as CHP and renewable energy systems in large buildings (over 1000m˛);
• Require the upgrading of energy performance in large existing buildings (over 1000m˛) undergoing major refurbishment; and
• Require the production of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for all new buildings.
[09/01/06]
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Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: Construction Sub-Category: None
New Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin
NISRA has published the latest edition of the Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin.
This Bulletin provides a measure of the value of construction output in Northern Ireland for the period 1 April to 30 June 2005. The key finding for this period is that the Index of Construction is down 1.1 points on the previous quarter. An electronic copy of the Bulletin is available on the web here.
The next Bulletin is due for publication on 9 February 2006.
[09/01/06]
Faculty: Eng School: Built Environment Category: General Sub-Category: None
JCT05 Now Available Online
The recently updated JCT Contracts are now available online in full text format. Go to Construction Information Service database or the Barbour Index to access all the JCT05 documents, as well as JCT98 documents too.
To find JCT05 documents, login to the Construction Information Service database using your Athens username and password. When you see a list of the different databases we subscribe to with TI, click on Construction Information Service. Once at the Search screen, click on Publishers at the top of the page, and look for the Publisher Sweet and Maxwell, who publish JCT05. For JCT98 documents, search for the Publisher Joint Contracts Tribunal. You will then be able to access full text contracts and guides.
Similarly, if you want to access them via the Barbour Index, login using your Athens username and password, enter the Construction Expert database, and using the advanced search type in Joint Contracts Tribunal in the Publisher field. You can then sort your results by clicking on the Year column to get the most recently published contracts.
For further help contact one of your Library subject team members below.
[21/11/05]
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Faculty: Eng School: General Category: None Sub-Category: None
Safari Tech Online Books
The Library has recently subscribed to Safari Tech Online, a database of 555 full-text books in computing available via the internet.
The premier electronic reference Library for Computer Programmers and IT Professionals, access to 555 subscribed e-books is available from the Bookshelf Tab. Full text books available from anywhere with your Athens username and password, limited to three simultaneous users at a time. It contains books from publishers such as Pearson, O'Reilly, Sams and Que.
Once logged in, search for full text material by clicking on the 'My Books' button at the top of the search box. Leaving your search on the 'All Books' button will return full text material, but will also return preview pages of books that we don't subscribe to.
[13/04/05]
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Last updated: 28/07/10
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