From large-scale town planning projects right through to individual building applications, insurance plays a critical role across the construction industry. One of the most important types of insurance you need for your project is professional indemnity (PI) insurance. Let's take a look at some of the factors that make this type of coverage critical to
In May of 2021, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) will release the Public Comment Draft of the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC). This draft is designed to give builders and associated entities the chance to familiarise themselves with changes to the NCC before they are put into action. The update will cover various aspects of construction
Our towns and cities are crucial to our health, safety, economy, and culture. This is why we need to pay close attention to urban development, town planning, building permits and approvals, and many other elements so we can understand what the urban centres of tomorrow will look like. Take a look at some of the
There are many links in the business regulation chain – perhaps a few too many. As any business owner knows, when processes get too complicated, problems can begin to arise – problems such as inefficiencies, bottle necks, and potential stumbling blocks. Let's consider building regulations on a macro level. These regulations are designed to protect
In the wake of the Lacrosse Tower incident in Melbourne and London's fatal Grenfell Tower fire, there is now considerable anxiety around the use of combustible cladding. Australia's authorities quickly drafted a range of new legislation designed to offer an effective response to the dangers posed by this cladding. So, what does this mean for building
Visual Approvals continually works to advance its products and services we offer to you. Our aim is always to make building certification and approvals easier with the deployment of software that improves efficiency and saves time. With this in mind, we are unveiling a couple of new enhancements you are going to love. Take a
The ‘exemption period’ that allows building certifiers to hold professional indemnity insurance with an exclusion relating to external cladding has been extended from 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022. This extension to the ‘exemption period’ allows private building certifiers to hold an exclusion on their professional indemnity insurance policies for a further 12-months. To read the full
The 2014 Lacrosse apartment fire, 2017 Grenfell Tower fire and the more recent Neo200 fire all serve to highlight numerous safety risks brought on by non-compliance in the building and construction industry. All three fire incidents revealed building structural problems and the non-compliant use of building products, particularly the use of combustible cladding material. These
Australia has some of the most complex and stringent building standards and legislation. Private building certifiers know this all too well, as they have to navigate a labyrinth of building and construction codes on behalf of their clients. Predictably, the rigorous processes of approving building plans and issuing final certificates involve loads of paperwork. But
Entering the post-COVID world may seem as daunting as lockdown itself. And, as an office manager, you will have many questions about the health and safety of your workforce as you prepare to welcome them back. Let’s take a look at what you can do to minimise COVID-19 infection in the workplace, and help you
