IStructE

This report examines the collapse of a ceiling in a school toilet block following a prolonged period of repeated patch repairs to a leaking roof. The Reporter raises concerns regarding inadequate maintenance of an ageing building. Read more: bit.ly/3SW9vEX

CROSS-AUS publish a Topic Paper: Waterproofing exposed concrete slabs to NCC 2025 - the structural engineer's role. Read it here: bit.ly/3UFWVKX

A Reporter often evaluates designs for post-fixed concrete anchors. They express recurring safety concerns and question if designers rely too heavily on software programs and engineers fail to closely interrogate the design inputs. Read more: bit.ly/3SrlbiU

A Reporter raises concerns about an occupied, mid‑nineteenth century listed building where severe timber deterioration has been identified beneath a commercial unit. Despite professional advice only inadequate temporary measures in place. Read more: bit.ly/4zJeedO

Published today - a new CROSS Topic Paper: Fire Test Evidence and Product Assurance This Paper considers how fire test evidence is interpreted in practice, and looks at the broader issue of product assurance in the built environment. Read more: bit.ly/4iaFGJi

The Reporter highlights concerns that reaction-to-fire classifications for asymmetrical construction products are often based on testing a single orientation. This may not represent credible fire exposure scenarios in external wall systems. Read more: bit.ly/3U9j1oC

A Reporter describes the challenges, from a regulator's perspective, regarding proposals to maintain the original hardwood doors/window shutters on the face of a historic building being developed for use as flats. Read more: bit.ly/4gftfwc

A Reporter has identified a recurring approach in the fire design of RC columns in residential buildings, where slender columns are treated as walls based on geometric proportions. They have concerns about inadequate fire resistance. Read more: bit.ly/4qGbREz

A fire in a modern residential dwelling demonstrated rapid fire development, failure of a protected stair enclosure, and significant structural degradation within a short time. A reporter raises concerns about lightweight timber construction. Read more: bit.ly/3SmilLY

The reported safety issue concerns the risk of sudden ceiling collapse in occupied school buildings due to overstressed and poorly supported ceiling structures. Identifying risks early and acting decisively is critical to occupant safety. Read more: bit.ly/4qqe8Dn

The Reporter highlights recurring issues across multiple buildings relating to the specification and construction of smoke shafts and smoke control ducts. These issues are said to compromise performance of smoke ventilation systems. Read more: bit.ly/4cRBWKT

A Reporter says structural risk assessments are a fundamental requirement in the safety case submission process for higher-risk buildings. However, ambiguous guidance lead to instances where non-structural engineers conducted assessments. Read more: bit.ly/4qsGwVE

The Reporter highlights concerns about the long-term condition of intumescent fire-protective coatings applied to structural steelwork in multi-storey car parks. Deterioration of coatings may reduce fire resistance if it's not addressed. Read more: bit.ly/3SnKfHt