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| 6 Jun 2013 Efflorescence on Bricks
The growth of white crystals on the surfaces of brickwork and blockwork is called efflorescence and is a common problem particularly in high rainfall areas. Efflorescence is caused by the presence of water-soluble salts which occur naturally in cement-water mixtures. The salts are brought to the surface of bricks or blocks as hydroxides when the […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Energy Efficiency
As of May 1 2007, new energy provisions of the Building Code of Australia came into effect in WA, setting minimum standards for energy consumption in new homes. This includes provision for glazing, insulation, ventilation and so on. The objective of the BCA is that the building fabric must meet minimum energy efficiency requirements. The […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Electricity Connections and Headworks Charges
WA Electrical requirements provide for a standard supply up to: 63 Amps single phase (Perth and major towns) 32 Amps single phase (rural areas and small towns) 32 Amps per phase for multiphase (all areas) Consumer mains size of 35mm² (all areas) A large house with air-conditioning, pool and many appliances is likely to require […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Building Sites and Theft
Under most building contracts, the builder controls the site until practical completion. During the construction period a builder is usually responsible for theft, vandalism or other damage that occurs on the site. A builder may be able to claim on its insurance policy or may absorb the cost, depending on the amount involved. If your […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Extension of Time
Most building contracts allow the builder to claim an extension of time for completion of the project where there is a delay which could not reasonably be foreseen at the time of contract signing. Such delays could include strikes, unfavourable weather and unavailability of materials or labour. However, the exact terms of the building contract […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Employment and Good Faith Bargaining
Bargaining representatives must comply with various ‘good faith bargaining’ requirements when negotiating an enterprise agreement (other than a greenfields agreement). These requirements do not apply to the process of varying or terminating an enterprise agreement. The good faith bargaining requirements imposed on all bargaining representatives include: Attending and participating in meetings at reasonable times; Disclosing […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Financial Management
Construction companies need to carefully manage their business to address cash flow and other financial risks. There are a range of reasons why established businesses fail or suffer financial distress. These include a lack of adequate funding, a lack of an early warning reporting system, a failure to recruit quality personnel and a […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Alternative Solutions in Building
When the Performance-Based Building Code was introduced in 1996, WA was the first State to adopt it. The new Code provided the flexibility that was lacking in the Uniform Building By-Laws that prescribed the minimum requirements for compliance of residential and non-residential buildings. The performance-based Building Code of Australia (BCA) maintains the prescriptive requirements as […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Balconies and Decking
Pest damage, water rot, corrosion, or other physical damage to your decking or rails can occur in obscure locations. Timber can fail for a number of reasons including incorrect timber selected (ie not suitable for an external structure), poor maintenance, or insect attack by the European House Borers or termites. Concrete balconies can […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Aged Residents and Housing
Designing and building housing for older people is becoming very important as the Australian population ages. Each year one in three every older Australians will suffer a fall, with around 5 to 10 per cent of these falls causing an injury which requires medical attention. Many of these falls around the home are preventable. Sensible […]