BPF Construction Bulletin
News
Possible impacts from Dagenham and Blackwall
Experts have warned of the dangers of storing building materials on scaffolding in the wake of the Dagenham fire that hospitalised two people last month. It is understood that Spectrum House, an eight-storey building was in the process of having remediation works. More than 200 firefighters were sent to tackle the east London blaze, which broke out on 26 August.
Firefighters are issuing a safety reminder about smoking after a flat fire in a high rise building on Biscayne Avenue in Blackwall. A balcony was destroyed and a small part of a five-roomed flat on the 25th floor of the 45-storey building was damaged by fire. There were no reports of any injuries. The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took over 110 calls to the blaze. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters attended the scene.
The Minister for Building Safety and Homelessness has made a statement regarding construction products. This announces an extension of the recognition of CE marking for construction products in GB. This extension, and the longer-term future of CE/UKCA marking, is conditional on a commitment from the government to system wide reform of the construction products regulatory regime. Please see the announcement here: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament In summary this means that:
- CE marking will be accepted past 30th June 2025 in Great Britain.
- The government has committed to system wide construction product regulatory reform.
- UKCA marking will remain a valid and accepted regulatory mark.
- The government will explore the long-term future of CE/UKCA marking as part of this regulatory reform.
- Any subsequent changes to the recognition of CE marking would be subject to a minimum 2-year transitional period.
- The government will engage with UK Conformity Assessment Bodies, the UK Accreditation Service, and the wider industry to strengthen the conformity assessment market.
Background data collection for future EU end-of-waste criteria of Construction and Demolition Waste Final Report
A new report, prepared for the European Commission, sets out a hierarchy of materials for construction and demolition End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria to prioritise. The study comes as part of the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan, which includes an aim to reduce construction and demolition waste. Plastic foam insulation, PVC Pipes and Windows (rigid plastics) are mentioned. Some of the key points are listed below:
- High-Potential Waste Streams: Aggregates, concrete, fired clay bricks, and gypsum show the highest potential for future EU-wide EoW criteria.
- Product Standards: CDW streams with relevant product standards have higher potential for EU-wide EoW criteria. Scoring is based on the presence of EN, ISO, or national standards.
- Rigid Plastics (PVC): EU-wide End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria could create a level playing field, improve product quality, and increase demand for recycled products. However, older PVC products may contain legacy additives which may complicate recycling
- Current Collection and Recycling Rates: The document provides a detailed table showing the recycling and reuse rates of various construction and demolition waste (CDW) streams, highlighting those with higher potential for improvement.
- CO2 Emissions: The treatment of CDW streams in the EU emitted 1,683,385 metric tonnes of CO2eq, with aggregates and concrete being the main contributors.
- Environmental Impact: Wood had the highest negative impact on ecosystem quality, while aggregates and concrete were the main contributors to human health impacts.
- Future EoW Criteria: Implementing future EoW criteria could reduce CO2 emissions by 769,267 metric tonnes and save over €86 million in resource extraction costs.
- Methodology Limitations: Some parameters had limitations, such as extra-EU shipment desirability, purity evaluation challenges, and market value estimation.
- Environmental and Health Impact: The study compared the current scenario with a 10% increase in recycling, highlighting benefits and uncertainties in environmental and health impacts.
Contract Flooring Association (CFA) issues its Guide to Sustainability 2024-25 Report
This 168-page annual report includes numerous articles and reports of how different flooring companies are addressing their sustainability challenges. It also gives lots of information and guidance to support flooring manufacturers. It includes a set of Briefing Papers produced by us at CPA, especially on Environmental Product Declarations. Find the Report here
Building Materials and Components statistics
DBT has published information on selected building materials, including monthly data on price indices, bricks, cement and concrete blocks. It also provides quarterly data on sand and gravel, slate, concrete roofing tiles, ready-mixed concrete and imports and exports of construction products. Associated datasets including indices of construction costs, and prices etc are also available. For the latest monthly report, please click here
BPF NEWS
The recent webinar from the BPF in conjunction with the Construction Products Association Construction Sector Insights: Unveiling the Latest Market Updates which was presented by Professor Noble Francis, Economics Director and Nicki Hunt-Davison of the BPF is now available to view
https://www.bpf.co.uk/events/webinars/archive/home.aspx
UK Construction Week - 1- 3rd October
The NEC in Birmingham was the birthplace of UK Construction Week in 2015 and the tradeshow has grown to become the UK's largest built environment event, held annually in the first week of October. Over 100,00 visitors are expected over the three days. Come and visit us on stand B532!
BPF VinylPlus UK Conference – 11th December
The annual VinylPlus UK Conference will be on 11th December and will be launched mid-September – with over 120 registrations for the 2023 event, the speaker programme is currently being finalised.
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