Architectural Design

Albion Technical Solutions is able to offer a tailored design service to both the individual and companies, that includes:

• Free initial consultation.
• Measured survey of premises.
• Scheme designs agreed with clients before formal applications are made.
• Pre-application discussions with the Local Authority departments.
• Full planning and building control applications including all necessary plans, specifications, forms, reports etc.
• Site supervision service if required.
• Access to other design professionals including Structural Engineer's, if required, for more complex designs.

Party Wall Act 1996

Since coming into force in 1997, The Party Wall Act etc 1996 has given neighbours rights and responsibilities depending on whether you or your neighbour are carrying out work on a relevant structure.

A Party Wall is not just between two semi-detatched properties, but also covers the following:

• A wall forming part of only one building but which is on the boundary line between two or more properties.
• A wall which is common to two or more properties, including where someone has built a wall and a neighbour has subsequently constructed something butting up to it.
• A garden wall, where it is constructed astride the boundary line, or butts up against it, and is used to separate the properties; but is not part of any building.
• Floors and ceilings of flats and apartments.
• Excavations near to a neighbouring property.

Works that require a notice and permission

Below is a list of works that can only be carried out to a party wall with the written agreement of the adjoining owner(s):

• Cutting into a wall to take the bearing of a beam.
• Inserting a damp proof course all the way through a wall.
• Raising the whole party wall and cutting off any objects stopping this from happening.
• Demolishing and rebuilding the party wall.
• Underpinning the whole, or part, of a wall.
• Protecting adjoining walls by cutting a flashing into an adjoining building.
• Excavating foundations within 3 metres of an adjoining structure and lower than its foundations.
• Excavating foundations within 6 metres of an adjoining structure and below a line drawn down at 45 degrees from the bottom of its foundations.

Works that do not require a notice and permission

The following minor works do not require the written agreement of the adjoining owner(s):

• Putting up shelving and wall units.
• Replastering.
• Electrical rewiring.
• Fixing plugs.

If you are unsure whether The Party Wall Act applies to your proposed works, Albion Technical Solutions are able to to provide advice as necessary.

CDM Cordinator

Under The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007, the client has a number of statutory duties he/she must perform.

A CDM client is someone who is having construction or building work carried out, unless they are a domestic client. On all projects clients will need to:

• Check competence and resources of all appointees.
• Ensure there are suitable management arrangements for the project welfare facilities
• Allow sufficient time and resources for all stages.
• Provide pre-construction information to designers and contractors.

Where a project has to be notified to the Health & Safety Executive under CDM 2007, clients must also:

• Appoint a CDM co-ordinator
• Appoint a principal contractor
• Make sure that construction work does not start unless a construction phase plan is in place and there are adequate welfare facilities on site
• Provide information relating to the health and safety file to the CDM co-ordinator
• Retain and provide access to the health and safety file

Licensing Act 2003

As part of the Licensing Act 2003, it is now a requirement to submit a scale plan of the premises to which the licence application relates.

This plan has to be to a standard scale as determined within the Act and has to show clearly certain defined information.

Albion Technical Solutions can provide the solution. We are able to produce accurate and legible premises plans that comply with the requirements on the new Licensing Act 2003.

Our service includes a visit to the premises to carry out a full measured survey and to note the location of services and fixtures. A full set of annotated drawings will be produced based on the information collected.

We endeavour to carry out the complete process from survey to delivery of the plans within a maximum of 14 working days.

CAD Contracting

Albion Technical Solutions are able to offer help to business with short term CAD draughting: We can provide CAD facilities to Architects, Architectural Designers, Building Contractors, in fact any design professional.

We are able to produce drawings from paper sketches, measured surveys, photographs with notation or basic CAD drawings. Projects can be delivered to us via e-mail or recorded post. Alternatively, we are happy to visit your premises to discuss your requirements in detail

Albion Technical Solutions can also offer a number of other CAD based services for the commercial sector as well as individuals

Downloads

Draughting Services Leaflet (PDF)