PCA Weekly News - 18th February 2023
In your weekly PCA update this week:
- Awaab's Law
- Positive Input Ventilation Systems
- February webinar - Japanese knotweed: Back to basics
- Invasive Weed Conference 2022 - next CPD video
- New Colemanator App
- Online training opportunities...
Awaab's Law
Many of you may have seen the headlines last week as the Government announced a new amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill to introduce ‘Awaab’s Law’. What does this mean and what will be implemented? PCA's CEO Steve Hodgson outlines this new amendment which requires landlords to fix reported health hazards within specified timeframes, in more detail via the button below.
Read more >>
Positive Input Ventilation Systems
We are pleased to finally announce the publication of a joint position statement on Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) Systems.
The paper is in response to what we believe is unbalanced criticism of PIV Systems in PAS 2035 and BEIS' Guidance Document. There is an opinion that the use of these systems will encourage vapour drive into the fabric of the building envelope which will result in interstitial condensation. PCA members, visit 100s of properties on a daily basis looking at damp issues and we have never had an incident of this being reported to us.
It is clear that there is a lack of research into this topic and our hope is that this paper will spark debate and ultimately lead to proper academic research. Whilst we will be guided by the science, it is our belief that this will dispel the opinion that PIV systems can contribute to interstitial condensation.
We would like to encourage joint working to see an academically found answer rather than the scapegoating of a bonafide ventilation strategy without basis.
Read more >>
February webinar - Japanese knotweed: Back to basics
**1 WEEK TO GO** until our next live broadcast! This is an ideal webinar for junior members of your team and for you to share with your clients, customers and anyone else who you feel would benefit from a greater understanding of Japanese knotweed.
Join us and PCA's Technical Manager Daniel Docking from 9-10am as he goes back to basics on Japanese knotweed.
To register or to find out more, simply click on the button below...
Find out more >>
Invasive Weed Conference 2022 - next CPD video
Following the '2022 Invasive Weed Conference', the next video presentation to be released is from Dr Mark Fennell, AECOM who discussed 'Proportionate on-site risk assessment of invasive weeds & the underlying need for accurate identification'. You can view the presentation by clicking on the button below.
PCA's Technical Manager Daniel Docking will also touch on the subject and importance of accurate identification in next week's webinar, 'Japanese knotweed - Back to Basics'.
View the video presentation>>
New Colemanator App
For those members that might be unaware, recently a new app called the 'Colemanator' (named in honour of PCA trainer Graham Coleman) has been launched on all App stores to provide aid to the diagnosis of condensation and mould.
The App, which is a member collaboration, is simple to use, only requiring the user to put in five simple environmental measurements which can be calculated using a hygrometer and surface thermometer (both of which can be found on most high-end moisture meters). It then uses this data to provide an overall environmental score, which can be used to quantify the internal conditions and risk of condensation and mould. Perhaps the most interesting part of the app is that it provides two simple tables which indicates what possible changes to moisture loading or temperature may be required to bring the property back to an acceptable level.
We have long advocated a more data driven approach to condensation and mould surveys and if this app can help facilitate this, then it should absolutely be encouraged. What’s more, its great to see members leading the way and pushing the envelope in moisture diagnostics once again. To find out more, click on the button below...
Find out more >>
Online training opportunities...
There is still time to book your place onto the Online Surveyors course for Structural Waterproofing - ideal learning for those surveyors involved in the design, planning and installation of any structural waterproofing project below ground.
The beauty of online training is you can enhance your knowledge and develop your skills at a time & place to suit you! To find out more, click on the button below...
Find out more >>