SFE News

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

Raising standards in Façade Engineering: SFE’s role in the Building Safety Fund and Professional Indemnity Insurance

The Society of Façade Engineering (SFE), has been instrumental in addressing building safety issues by advising on professional indemnity insurance and contributing to the Government's Building Safety Fund. This ensures that SFE members are recognised as qualified professionals in recladding projects for higher-risk buildings.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

Enhancing building safety: The role of competency in higher-risk buildings

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduces significant changes to building control and responsibilities in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, emphasising the need for competency among project participants. With the establishment of new duty holders and the introduction of the Engineering Council's standards for demonstrating competence, the Society of Façade Engineering is actively working to ensure that façade professionals are equipped to meet these new regulatory demands.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

SFE and Competency Assessments for the Building Safety Act

The Society of Façade Engineering (SFE) is actively contributing to the Joint Competency Initiative (JCI), developing a competency framework and assessments to ensure façade engineers meet the Building Safety Act's requirements. This includes a new competency test and updated standards to demonstrate professional expertise in the façade sector.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

Raising standards in Façade Engineering: A path to Chartership through CIBSE

The Society for Façade Engineering (SFE), has introduced a tailored route for MCIBSE CEng status, ensuring that at least one panel interviewer is a qualified façade engineer. Guidance is also available to help applicants understand the assessment criteria.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

Hubs: What we have been up to

Over the summer the Society has been busy with various activities globally aiming once again to connect professionals and share knowledge across our industry

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

Spotlight Façade Awards: The Parcels Building

The Parcels Building was a unique opportunity to promote the retention of an existing building through the principles of sustainability and regenerative and adaptive reuse.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

Spotlight Façade Awards: The Black & White Building

The Black & White Building, a commercial development in Shoreditch, East London, epitomises innovation in timber construction and facade engineering, this project stands as a beacon of sustainable architecture and engineering excellence.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

Spotlight Façade Awards: Bee'ah HQ

The BEEAH Headquarters project has an expansive scope with a focus on sustainability and digitization as key design drivers. With a focus on net-zero emissions and minimal energy consumption, the headquarters exempliﬁes environmentally conscious practices. The building has successfully attained BREEAM Outstanding and LEED Platinum certiﬁcations, emphasizing its sustainable design and operation.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

JCI and Competency assessments for the Building Safety Act

Since the early discussions started over competency for the Building Safety Bill, the Joint Competency Initiative for the Envelope Sector was formed comprising the technical and procurement leads of BAM, ISG, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Lendlease, Mace, Morgan Sindall, Multiplex, Sir Robert McAlpine, John Sisk, Skanska and Wates Group with the aim of understanding, reflecting and setting out a vision for proportionate and practical requirements relating to both organisational and individual competence of those working in the glazing, cladding and roofing sectors.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

SFE Spotlight: In conversation with Bill Wolmuth

Bill Wolmuth studied Civil Engineering at Leeds University and then researched the underlying causes of structural failure, gaining his doctorate in 1980. He worked for Bovis from 1981-2, and for Mowlem from 1982-96, providing technical support to project teams on building technology related matters, increasingly focussing on the external envelopes of large commercial buildings. Whilst at Mowlem he was also responsible for conceiving, developing and implementing the company’s Technical Guideline system for use by project teams to avoid repetition of technical problems encountered in construction. In 1996, Bill went to work for STATS Ltd and then in 1998, he established his own consultancy, known as IBT, (Independent Building Technology Ltd) to provide technical support to project teams on the external envelopes of large commercial buildings at all stages of a building’s life, from the conceptual design stage through to Practical Completion and beyond. Since then he has worked on numerous new-build projects and on defect investigations often acting as an expert witness. He has also served on the CWCT’s Technical Committee for more than 25 years.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

Spotlight Academia – Freeform Curved Glass: A Novel Fabrication Technique

Architectural design is continually evolving, pushing the limits of materials and aesthetics to create innovative façades that redefine our urban landscapes, with glass playing a crucial role in this transformation. However, the full potential of using glass in architecture has not yet been realized, and recent experiments point to new prospects.

Article category: News
Published on: 26 Sept 24

CWCT Updates on Fire Guidance