Close

Member Login

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Timber Rot

    Timber rot was a major problem in some Perth homes. A survey a few years ago suggested that houses in Subiaco, Ardross, Floreat, Nedlands and Mosman Park were most likely to suffer from timber rot. This incidence of timber rot is not surprising as it usually occurs in older homes and caused by a lack […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Thermal Mass

    Thermal mass is often talked about as vital for good passive-solar design. Thermal mass in WA is easier to provide that you think, purely due to the materials we prefer to build with. The installation of concrete floors and brick walls provides the thermal mass of our buildings. We must make sure that it works […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Timber Floorboards – maintenance

    Timber flooring is a popular and attractive treatment however you have some work in front of you to achieve your desired result. Remove all existing floor coverings and assess the quality of the floorboards. If the boards have been sanded before, you need to know how much of the board is left and how much […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Union Right of Entry

    This Fact Sheet provides information about the right of entry requirements in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act). Right of entry permits The right of entry provisions in the FW Act allow union officials who hold valid entry permits to enter employers’ businesses for certain purposes. Union officials can apply to Fair Work […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Roof Sarking

    Roof sarking is a membrane that is fitted during tile or metal roof construction. The flexible membrane is usually installed under the battens to provide thermal insulation and to prevent water and dust penetration in the roof space. In bushfire prone areas flying embers cannot enter this space through the roof due to sarking protection. […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Skylights – Sizing for adequate light

    AS4285 – 2007 Size of Skylights  The table below refers to skylight sizes commonly available throughout Australia. For practical purposes this table shows them as applied to typical rooms in Australian residential buildings where the skylights are not the only natural source of light. This table is based on many years of industry experience. Other […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Security of Payments Legislation

    The Construction Contracts Act, also known as security of payment legislation, commenced on 1 January 2005. Part of this legislation covers disputes between building owners and builders. The laws are designed to maintain the flow of funds between parties even when a dispute occurs and not allow an owner to retain monies owed under a […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Skylights – Size of Skylights

    Sizing of a skylight is dependant on the level of illumination required. The table in ‘Size of Skylights,’ provides guidance for average installations under average related conditions. It also assumes that some other form of lighting, such as borrowed light from a window, contribute to the overall result in the living areas for a satisfactory […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Shared Equity Scheme

    A shared equity arrangement is where two or more parties agree to co-purchase an asset, and share in any capital appreciation of that asset over time.  The parties may agree on a 70/30 ownership or any other shared arrangement.   The parties need to consider whether recurring expenses such as stamp duty rates and taxes and […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Skylights – Fire Protection

    Fire separation for buildings as detailed in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) should be considered when planning placements of skylights. The BCA places limitations on the location of skylights near property boundaries and adjacent adjoining buildings to reduce the likelihood of fire spread between buildings. Generally the provisions are based on nominated distances from […]