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The article discusses the rules on school construction in New York City. The city has created the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) to oversee the design, construction and rehabilitatation of public schools. It has introduced legislation that will reduce construction from eight to four or five years and will spare SCA from restrictive regulations and time delays. The Board of Education has the authority to determine what schools should be built while the SCA is responsible for the design and construction.

Reports that New York's Onandaga County Legislature is expected to reconsider the construction project-labor agreement with the Syracuse Building and Construction Trade Council. Extensive business opposition on the agreement.

The article discusses the significance of building information modeling (BIM), its government backing, and its success in the construction industry in Great Britain. BIM enhances efficiency, which enables firms to do more for less. The government also wants level 2 BIM to be compulsory on all public sector projects by 2016. Culture change in firms is a significant part of rolling out BIM and a lot of coaching will be necessary.

This article offers information on the post-occupancy evaluation (POE), a tool designed to assess completed projects and to develop better-forming buildings. One of the significant steps in the POE process is obtaining occupant feedback. Though their opinions about physical characteristics such as indoor air quality, privacy, and lighting are by nature subjective, they are nevertheless essential to understanding how well a building performs. A systematic and reliable way to gather information about occupant comfort is through a Web-based survey.

The article offers tips on how to impress Cabe's school design review panel of the government of Great Britain's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Chairman of the panel Ken Shuttleworth advises to start off with one simple, logically clear diagram. He suggests architects to go against established rules by being ambitious and adventurous and warns contractors against a bolt-on approach to sustainability. Cabe's comments and suggestions with architects' images of the first batch of schemes are also presented.

The article discusses the final rule of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on crystalline silica, focusing on the response of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) and industry members. Information is provided on the key provisions of the final crystalline silica rule. It presents the view of Ed Brady of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Stephen E. Sandherr of the Associated General Contractors of America, and Brian Paich of ITW BuildClean.

In the article, the author examines the performance of former Davis Langdon partner Paul Morrell as chief construction adviser in Great Britain. He presents the report "Low Carbon Construction Innovation and Growth Team" that was submitted by Morrell in early December 2010. He cites the opinion of British Construction Industry Council (CIC) chief executive officer Graham Watts on the performance of Morrell in the construction sector.

The article presents ways on how Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can squeeze more money from its customers particularly from the construction industry in Great Britain. Nick Hood, head of Begbies Global Network imparts that HMRC will toughen the Time to Pay scheme which will be a challenge for construction firms asking for the scheme. The nation's value added tax (VAT) will also be increased to 20% whichever party wins the elections in order to ameliorate the British economy.

The article focuses on the six Construction Commitments that is established in tandem with the government's Strategy for Sustainable Buildings on June 2008 in Great Britain. Strategic Forum's chair Nick Raynsford is inclined on getting the industry to abide by the Forum's targets including the procurement and integration, health and safety and construction sustainability. In addition, he stresses that the objectives concern developing performance that results to better profitability.

Provides an overview on Part E of the Building Regulations in Great Britain. Requirement for higher acoustic standards in both new build and conversions; Guidance on conversion work; Thermal requirements and fire-safety issues; Good sound insulation at low frequencies.

The article focuses on the proposed New Zealand Deprartment of Building and Housing rule that allows only licensed building practitioners (LPB) to work on building and renovating houses and other structures. The rule is aimed at restoring confidence in the building industry. The main changes to the proposed Building Amendment Bill ensures that critical building work is carried out or supervised by LBPs and to ensure that LBPs will be held liable if their work is substandard.

The article reports on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) steps to sustainability in response to the call of the U.S. President Barack Obama. GSA's Martha N. Johnson says GSA as part of the Federal High-Performance Green Buildings Governmentwide Policy office will provide federal agencies with essential tools and policies to meet sustainability mandates on building construction industry. It mentions that Scott Conner will act as Public Buildings Service (PBS) Chief Greening Officer.

The article offers information on design build. It defines design build as the process by which a project design and construction are contracted to a single contractor. It cites the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) executes complex projects on behalf of other federal agencies incorporating cost engineering teams to ensure execution of lead cost practices of contractor. It also states that a responsible approach to government projects starts and ends with an effective controls system.

Discusses the confusion of the building industry over the Accessibility Guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAG) in the U.S. Methods to achieve ADAAG guidelines; Building codes and standards imposed on the industry; Availability of the accessibility requirements on the U.S. Access Board Web site.

Focuses on the Army Articulation Agreement for Skilled Construction Personnel, a program that calls for U.S. service members in military construction careers to verify their skills through nationally recognized assessment tests to avail of dual certification. Advantages of the program; Opportunities under the program; Schedule of the signing of the agreement by the Army Training and Doctrine Command.

Presents new items related to business in New York City as of May 7, 2001. City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's regulation of the construction industry; Commercial leases at Related Cos. of New York's Columbus Circle retail complex currently under development; Decline in local hotel occupancy rates.

The article offers information on training classes that Gwinnett County will hold to provide awareness about radon resistant construction at the University of Georgia on June 30, 2015.

Reports on the New York City construction industry's objection to a decision by the administration of mayor Rudolph Giuliani to enforce a rule requiring contractors to hire trainees for projects that receive city property tax incentives. Plan by the city to fine contractors who fail to comply with regulations; Possibility that enforcement of the regulation could increase the cost of construction.

Reports that the Clark County Health District in Las Vegas, Nevada in has more than tripled the penalty for air quality offenders at construction sites with heavy equipment that kick up dust clouds. Air quality in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Reports on the Building Trades Employers' Association's opposition to New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's campaign to impose strict regulation on the construction industry. Comments by Lou Coletti, chairman of the association; Terms under the mayor's proposed legislation; Tension between the mayor and Council Speaker Peter Valone over the city budget.

Discusses the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Lead in Construction Rule. Employers and vendors' program for additional training, increasing health and safety awareness, and updating of medical surveillance; Educational programs for workers on the dangers of lead in paint.

The article offers information on the response of Great Britain based architects on the decision England politicians (MPs) stating the government to stop funding modular homes.

The article focuses on the criticisms against the Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2015 by the British Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Criticisms about the lack of an Approved Code of Practice (AcoP), the inadequacy consultation, and the disappearance of the CMD coordinator are mentioned. Insights from critics Alasdair Beal, principle associate for consultant Thomason, and construction firm Kier Group senior safety, health and environment manager David Lambert are outlined.

The article argues on the Great Britain's NewBuy Scheme which aims to boost the construction industry that can be replicated to help those in the retail sector in developing their own businesses.

The article offers information on the new directive issued by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA), which states that all residential construction employers must comply with the residential construction fall protection standard 29 CFR 1926.502(k).

The article reports on the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) issuance of a directive rescinding the Iterim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction (STD 03-00-001).

The article focuses on the proposed changes to the building and plumbing code regulations in Nova Scotia. The proposed regulations are designed to enhance the energy efficiency of homes and offices in the country. They are also aimed at increasing consumer protection through minimum standards for builders that promise energy conservation measures. The regulations will replace the EnerGuide home efficiency goals identified in the Environmental Goals and Sustainability Act of 2008. They will take effect on April 1, 2009.

The article focuses on the proposals issued by the California Department of City Planning to govern the practice of paving in the city. The proposal calls for the establishment of new construction rules aimed at addressing the problems caused by overpaving. Corey Bearak, executive vice president of the Queens Civic Congress, claimed that some of the proposals are already in place but are not yet implemented.

Reports on the initiatives taken by the California Contractors State License Board against unlicensed construction operators in 2005. Number of unlicensed operators in the state in 1998; Advice for addressing illegal activities in the construction industry.

Discusses the problems associated with contract bundling of architectural firms. Impact of contract bundling on small and medium-sized architecture firms; Method to cope with the competitiveness of supplier contracts; Accountability of federal agencies in contract bundling practices.

Reports on the repeal of the contractor responsibility regulations by U.S. President George W. Bush. Details of the contractor responsibility regulations proposed by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council; Information on the proposed changes to the regulations; Views of the Associated General Contractors of America on the decision of Bush.

Editorial. Points out the dampening effect of government regulations on the economic health of the residential construction industry in New Jersey. Growth of residential construction based on building permits issued in 1998; Positive impact of general economic prosperity, low inflation and low interest rates; Percentage of home construction costs allocated to regulatory fees.

In this article, the author argues that Great Britain could become a world leader in the field of building information modeling (BIM) at a time when the British government has established Level 2 BIM as a national standard for the construction and architecture industries. This initiative, the author suggests, could allow British professionals in the architecture, engineering and construction fields to win international work using these advanced tools.

Reports on the rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency for the housing industry regarding lead-based paint. Requirement of training, certification and accreditation for specific categories of persons working in the housing industry; Disclosure of information regarding the hazards associated with renovation of facilities containing lead-based paints; Adverse health effects of lead.

The article reports on the status of the homebuilding industry by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) to the U.S. Congress. According to the report entitled "Technology, Trade and the U.S. Residential Construction Industry," the industry holds tremendous potential for increasing its efficiency, but is being hampered by the regulatory process. The said report will be the basis to a policy aid for the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development.

The article discusses the Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate introduced by the Great Britain government in 2011 that hammered home insufficiencies in the construction industry. It notes that the use of BIM within infrastructure has significantly increased in 2012 and that its benefits are seen as it is used to great effect on a number of key projects in the region. The relevance of BIM to civil engineering is explored.

The article focuses on the "Green Building and Climate Resilience: Understanding Impacts and Preparing for Changing Conditions" report of the U.S. Green Builsing Council (USGBC) in collaboration with the University of Michigan. It states that the report tackles the strategies on how the construction industries could improve in their building designs. According to Chris Pyke, USGBC's vice president of research, a resiliency is in need in for green buildings due to climate change.

The article offers information on the decision by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) of Great Britain with regards to the practice of cover pricing of companies in the construction industry which was published in November 20, 2009. It notes that OFT considers cover pricing as an anti-competitive scheme which must be dealt with serious actions of the law. Moreover, It mentions that the OFT promulgates a system for private actions which will encourage businesses to comply with competition laws.

The article focuses on the role of Paul Morrell as the new chief construction adviser of Whitehall in London, England. It cites some tasks to be performed by Morrell including a liaison between the government and the construction industry, advising the Whitehall on policy making, and helping the industry carry out policies and guidelines. Morrell says that the thing that he wants to encourage the government is to ask smarter questions if it wants to obtain smarter answers from the industry. INSET: WHAT THE INDUSTRY THINKS.

The article focuses on the standard infrastructure levy demanded for applicant developers. It comments on the local planning authority's (LPA's) attitude towards collecting contributions as supported by Circular 05/2005 which contains the conditions when to seek planning obligations to developers. It also cites Paragraph B7 on the legality of obligations and Paragraph B35 on standard charges. Moreover, a new act was developed that relates the charge to the size of the development.

The article focuses on the impact of the decrease in the public sector spending budgets to construction industry in Great Britain. It reveals that almost 75% of the revenue earned by contractors and other construction-related workers are coming from the spending of public sector. It says that the situation will urge the government to impose higher regulatory expenditures to construction industry. It suggests the focus on service and delivery and on overseas expansion to response to the problem.

The article focuses on the relevance of the major incident management (MIM) policy for the construction sector in Great Britain. It cites the lack of general British statutory obligation for a MIM policy, which resulted in a lack of definition. It states the issues that will be addressed by the policy, such as the loss of or significant damage to any resource. It notes the features of the MIM policy, including trained personnel and a policy for media communication.