Who Do You Need To Engage To Get An Assessment On Flood Risk?

As per the Environment Agency, around 5.2 million properties in England, or one in six properties, are at risk of flooding. For projects in such areas known to be at risk of flooding, a flood risk assessment is required to be submitted with planning applications. And that’s where your principal designer comes in. A principal designer is an organisation or an individual appointed by a commercial or domestic client to take the lead in the pre-construction phase of a project that involves more than one contractor or if it is reasonably foreseeable that more than one contractor will be used on a project. 

Required by Law

As per the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 or CDM 2015, clients are legally obligated to appoint a principal designer for any project that hires more than one contractor. CDM 2015 is regulations that govern the way construction projects are planned in the UK, no matter their size. In short, its intention is to reduce the risk of harm to all concerned with the project, which basically entails the builders, the ones who are going to use and take care of them. This includes the potential damage and harm caused to property and humans in the event of a flood. Flood risk assessment is, therefore, an important element that gets covered by the principal designer.

Appointed in Writing

 

It is worth noting that the principal designer must be appointed in writing. If it is not done, say for a domestic project, then the designer who is in control of the pre-construction phase will automatically be considered as the principal designer. However, in the case of commercial projects, if the client does not make the appointment, then the client themselves automatically become the principal designer and be responsible for all the duties.

Services to Look for to Mitigate the Effects of Floods

 

The principal designer you appoint will look into various aspects related to flood risk assessment. Some of them include flood risk analysis, flood flow route analysis and flood scenario modelling, negotiations with insurers, budget advice as well as maintenance of your flood resilience plan. Therefore, it is very important for the principal designer to have the required skills and expertise to carry out the plan.

The Major Components Of Flood Risk Assessments

If your development falls under one of the flood zones, a principal designer assesses the risks before a project is started. One vital task is to get a flood risk assessment report. An FRA details the main flood risk to a development site and also provides recommendations on how to mitigate the impact of flooding at the development site and its surrounding areas. It will help you determine if your new development is sustainable and how it could impact the environment and increase the risk of a flood. So, what exactly does this report focus on?

Assessing Flood Hazard

This includes assessing the magnitude of a flood such as the velocity of moving water, quality of water, duration of inundation, and more. It also considers the maximum level the water reaches annually, at a given location and if it could exceed that level at any given time.

Assessing The Performance Of Flood Protection

A flood risk assessment helps determine how the flood risk can be reduced through structural measures such as floodwalls or building reservoirs. The performance of these reservoirs during floods is analysed to prevent any impending dangers.

Assessing Vulnerability And Exposure

Assessing the vulnerability and exposure of your structure would help determine the damage that could be caused during a flood. The structure is often categorised according to its construction type or other characteristics that will help predict the damage, corresponding to specific water depths.

Assessing The Risks Involved

A flood risk assessment will help you find out if your proposed development may be affected by current or future flooding or if it would increase the risk of a flood elsewhere. It would also help you take appropriate measures to mitigate any risks in the future.

Knowing the components of a flood risk assessment would help you make an informed decision on risk management. Contact our principal designers for more information on flood risk assessment.

Flood Risk Assessment: Why Do You Need It?

If you are reaching the end of your development planning stage, you might have heard your local planning office asking for a flood risk assessment (FRA) for planning. An FRA is a report that details the flood risk to a development site. It also provides recommendations for implementing measures to alleviate the impact of flooding on sight or the surrounding areas. 

A flood risk assessment is generally required if your potential development falls under a flood zone as part of the planning permission application. It would be best to hire a principal designer to access the risks as part of the pre-construction phase. A principal designer would gather all the information that is required and fill in any gaps and also take care of all the safety aspects during construction.

When Would You Need An FRA?

If your development falls under the flood zone 2 or 3, or for sites in flood zone 1 greater or equal to 1 hectare in size, or if it is near a critical drainage area, a flood risk assessment would be required as per the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Environment Agency (EA) guidelines. You may also need a flood risk assessment if your development is taking place within 20 meters of an EA main river.

What Are The Main Objectives Of An FRA?

The main aim of a flood risk assessment is to find out 

• If the proposed development would be affected by current or future flooding from any source

• Whether the right measures have been taken to deal with these effects and risks

• Whether the development will increase the risk of flooding elsewhere

Good planning can save a lot of costs. A flood risk assessment is not there to create more problems for you. It is there to support and advise you to establish safe routes in events of the flood, allocate vulnerable uses to the correct floor levels and to design a scheme that mitigates flood water. The FRA aims to guide you in your project so that it lasts longer and provides sustainable benefits to the area.

UK Flood Risk Evaluations And Safety Of Residential Buildings

Government policies in the UK do not encourage the construction of residences in areas with a substantial risk of flooding. However, wherever development is necessary for such zones, the national flood risk management policy mandates that such developments need to be safe, without increasing the flood risk elsewhere and wherever possible, to be able to reduce the flood risk overall through regular flood risk assessments.

Custom-Built Structures For Resilience

It is essential that modern buildings in these zones are designed suitably to deal with floodwaters and reduce the time for re-occupation after a flooding incident. Time to reoccupy properties is a major concern after as it can have a deep impact on the livelihoods and the health of those concerned.

Role Of Developers And Designers

Developers and a principal designer play a crucial role in improving the resilience of new houses in residual or low flood risk regions using appropriate materials and construction details. These methodologies are best applied for zones where the likelihood of flooding is lower or areas where flood risk assessments have been carried out. It can also be done in areas where relief measures have been put in place. The public partnership will also be useful as it will help control officers, planners, and loss adjusters in assessing the risk encountered by these zones.

Construction Methods And Flood-Resistant Design 

Data from area surveys, technical evidence, laboratory tests, and industry knowledge, help a principal designer to ascertain the best alternative or design scheme for flood management. This can be done at a construction site by gathering knowledge from basic flood parameters such as depth, frequency and duration which would normally be determined in a flood risk evaluation at the development stage. These measures can help make residential structures more sustainable, especially in flood-prone areas.

Five Guidelines To Choose A Civil Engineering And Structural Engineering Firm

Choosing a firm of civil engineers and structural engineers should not be taken lightly to ensure viability, operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness and durability of a development project. Here are some guidelines to help you make the right choice.

Look For Multi-Disciplinary Approach

Construction and development projects often require multi-disciplinary solutions – hence looking for a firm of civil and structural engineers that offers a holistic approach to projects. Make a note of the services your project is likely to require and make sure the firm offers these services. For example, if you’re developing a project that requires road and highway design solutions, look for a firm of civil engineers who have done this sort of work before. If your project has a special requirement –for example, you need the services of a Principal Designer – narrow your search to civil and structural engineering firms that provide these services.

Look For Field Expertise

Even if a firm of civil and structural engineers has been in operation for many years, they may not be the right fit for your project if they haven’t done projects of a similar kind. It’s a good idea to measure experience based on the number of projects the firm has completed in a particular area where you need expertise. For example, if you are looking for an Expert Witness - a service that civil and structural engineering firms provide for legal cases, the firm should be able to provide the services of a Chartered Engineer who has a complete understanding of legal codes and can provide an expert opinion.

Look For Value-Adding Services

Experienced civil engineering and structural engineering firms do not simply provide design and build solutions. They provide a comprehensive range of services including providing insights and information to help clients make empowered decisions in respect of a proposed project. Using their connections and network, they can also help obtain planning approval. Since the construction industry is a highly regulated one, partnering a firm of experienced civil engineers and structural engineers offering complete services can add immense value to obtaining positive outcomes with timeliness and cost-efficiency.

Look For Tech-Aided Solutions

Although most civil and structural engineering firms use technology for different purposes such as topographical surveys, ground investigations, and building designs, it’s better to confirm that the firm you are considering uses the latest technology to deliver high-quality analysis and design solutions. Civil and structural engineering firms use the latest technologies such as 3D modelling, building information modelling and parametric modelling to catch problematic issues at an early stage, improve the design, increase project development efficiency and cut costs.

Look For Accreditations and Certifications

Take a look at the firm’s certifications and accreditations to evaluate competence and trustworthiness. Various accreditations and certifications such as ISO 9000:2015 – Quality Assurance, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Accreditation, CHAS and Construction line are indicators that the firm is open to third-party audit and committed to providing high-quality services to clients. Apart from giving you the confidence that you are partnering a legitimate firm, you can feel reassured that you are receiving best-in-class services and solutions.

Don’t rush through the selection process! Reach out to reputed civil and structural engineering firms and make a well-informed decision!

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Must-know Road Designing Principles

 An organisation or individual appointed by a customer to take administrative control of the pre-construction phase of any project involving more than one contractor is referred to as a principal designer. A principal designer has a significant duty in determining how the deterrents to safety and health are supervised all over a project. The aim is to build the roads in a useful and safe manner. Safety is crucial to excellent road design.

A good road design creates safer roads which connect and help other wider essentials. Whether it be local or national, and that is basically advantageous, efficiently meeting commuter needs for mobility. Good designs are also important in making the roads easily useful and accessible. It is also responsible for the well-being of commuters.

Road Designing: Roles Of A Designer

A principal designer foresees, administers, monitors, and coordinates the safety and health in the pre-construction phase. A multi-disciplinary road design method includes and puts people’s perspectives and necessities at its core. At the same time, fostering well-being and generating a shared perception of ownership of the road.

All communities and users are regarded as meticulously to bring down the barriers to participation and access, especially conscious of the most endangered. Principal designers also advise and help the user in assembling the pre-construction information. They also impart the data that contractors and designers require to execute their tasks.

They are also needed to operate with other planners on the road design. This is to remove predictable safety and health hazards to people affected by the task. Whenever that is not possible, steps need to be taken to control those risks. They are also needed to collaborate with the main contractor. While keeping them updated of any danger that needs to be taken care of in the construction phase.

Two Key Areas That An Experienced Civil And Structural Engineering Firm Can Help With

When it comes to construction or property development projects, the services of a team of experienced civil engineers and structural engineers can be invaluable. Here is a look at two key areas an experienced structural and civil engineering firm can help you with.

Principal Designer 

Under the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations put forth in 2015, it is mandatory for most construction projects to appoint a Principal Designer (PD). The PD has wide-ranging responsibilities including planning, monitoring, and managing aspects related to health and safety in the pre-construction phase. It is also the responsibility of a PD to document and present relevant information to other duty holders including the Principal Contractor, who is responsible for managing health and safety in the construction phase. An experienced firm of civil and structural engineers will have capable and competent professionals, who can take on the role of a Principal Designer and ensure the best outcomes for construction projects.

Road Design Services 

A proposed property development project may have a possible impact on the road network. This can lead to several complications in obtaining planning approval. A team of civil and structural engineers can provide a variety of solutions such as impact assessment, traffic surveys, traffic assessments, swept path analysis, road alignment, junction design, drainage design, and access road design to help secure positive planning outcomes. Moreover, an experienced firm with expertise in the Highways Act will be able to assist with Highway Adoption and Highways Expert Witness solutions. Using professional connections with Highways Authorities, the firm can help to secure positive outcomes for a property development project.

For the maximum benefit, it is best to collaborate with a well-established civil and structural engineering firm. A firm with deep construction experience will understand the time and budgetary pressures you face. It will also have a thorough knowledge of relevant Acts and Regulations that apply to your project. They will help you complete your project with compliance, safety, cost-effectiveness and timeliness!

Why Do You Need Structural Engineers?

Structural engineers play an essential role in the development of any project. While most of these engineers focus on residential and commercial buildings, various dedicate their life to heritage sites. A sub-discipline of civil engineering, this profession has become a formal branch with the rising popularity of architecture. The main focus of structural engineers is in the integrity and physical design of projects like tunnels, bridges, and buildings. Construction undertaken by a team that includes a structural engineer ensures guaranteed success as they are best equipped with knowledge of both designs and raw materials.

Renovation And Residential Buildings Handled Efficiently

When a project relates to residential sites, it is essential to involve structural engineers. Most often than not, people do not realise the need for them until it is specifically requested by the construction team. Structural engineers are primarily responsible for making changes to existing structures whilst redesigning. However, they also work with architects on new sites. Be it a commercial building that needs to be rebuilt or a project that has to be worked on from scratch, their knowledge and training in raw materials and designs is a skill that will ensure the best construction.

Flood Risk Assessment For Complete Protection

When it comes to risks beyond one’s control, the best way forward is to ensure that one is prepared for when disaster hits. Flood risk assessment is the first step towards being prepared. Essential factors in this assessment include the flow of saturated groundwater, unsaturated groundwater, and surface water. In addition to this, risks posed by artificial water supplies like tanks and reservoirs and nearby natural water bodies are also considered. Flood risk assessment analyses all the risks and helps one come up with the best means to mitigate the flood risks. 

What Are The Main Tasks And Responsibilities Of A Structural Engineer?

Most of the world’s major cities have soaring skyscrapers and even the smallest of villages have terraces on the land. All of these are thanks to the efforts of structural engineers who make it possible to have sports stadia, bridges as well as hospitals. So, what exactly does a structural engineer do? We talk about this in more detail on this blog.

The Role Of A Structural Engineer

A structural engineer is a core member of a professional team that designs and builds possibly every structure that is man-made across the globe. While architects help to design bridges as well as buildings, it is the structural engineer who brings these concepts to life and makes them a reality. While the principal designer may create beautiful drawings and designs of potential buildings, it is the structural engineer who ensures that these are safe for usage by people, that these buildings can withstand earthquakes or even ferocious weather.

What Does A Structural Engineer Do?

Structural engineers carry out the surveys across existing structures to ensure that they are fit for the purpose. While buildings constructed five or ten decades ago might have been compliant with regulations at those times, it does not entail the same building will be safe today as well. In some situations, a building may be damaged due to an explosion or a fire, and in such a case, the structural engineer inspects the building and takes a decision on whether the building needs to be demolished or saved. The engineer often takes on a lead role within a construction site project. Hence, the engineer also needs to have a host of managerial skills as well. The principal designer will design the construction or the building, but the engineer will ensure that the development is compliant with environmental, legal, safety and health regulations. They also ensure that the development meets any budgetary and commercial requirements.

When to Request Topographical Survey, Building Survey or Project Manager Services

Civil and structural engineering firms offer a wide range of building and surveying services. So, when should you request for a building survey, topographical survey or project management services? Here is some information to help you make the right choice. 

Topographical surveys are typically required when land is being developed or altered. Civil engineering projects such as the construction of roads, tunnels and bridges need the services of topographical surveyors to identify details of natural or manmade features within an area of land. Projects involving the construction of new buildings/structures or land repurposing also require topographical surveys. Once the survey is completed, surveyors produce precise and detailed plan drawings of the area. 

Professional building surveyors perform building surveys on existing properties. Building surveys are comprehensive and include descriptions of each element of a building. These surveys are useful in identifying a property’s defects, the apparent cause of a defect, priorities for repair and the potential cost of repair. Building surveys are useful for all types of properties but are most suitable for listed properties, older properties, unusually constructed buildings or buildings that are about to be renovated. If you’re considering buying an old or unusually constructed property, you should consider a building survey. 

You may want to consider the services of a professional project manager in Yorkshire and other parts of the UK if you’re planning to undertake a significant construction project either in the private sector or public sector. Project managers bring discipline to construction projects and help clients maintain control over different aspects such as quality, cost, timely delivery and safety. Project managers are multi-skilled professionals who act as a single point of contact between a client and contractors. As part of project management services, a civil and structural engineering firm offers comprehensive solutions covering all phases from inception to completion. 

For best building surveyors, topographical or project managers in Yorkshire and other areas in the country, consult an experienced multi-disciplinary engineering firm!