Blogs

Edge protection and Demarcation: Types and their use

By David Thomas posted 12-06-2023
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TW23.080 (12.6.23) TWf INFORMATION SHEET No. 18 Edge protection and Demarcation: Types and their use Temporary edge protection and/or demarcation is ‘temporary works’ and requires a design in accordance with your project’s temporary works procedures. This may be a ‘standard design’. A design check may also be required. Some common types of edge protection and/or demarcation - and the applications in which they could be considered for use – are illustrated. This information sheet is not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but indicative of what is available for use. Any system should also be subject to regular inspection by a competent person(s). ...
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Underpinning: Good practice guide

By David Thomas posted 05-06-2023
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Synopsis Underpinning as a concept is generally understood by most people, but its mechanics and feasibility is less so. This document provides the reader with the key information necessary when underpinning is being considered on a project. Ultimately, the success of any project lies in proper planning, allowing sufficient time to gather the right level of information and appointing experienced specialists. This is especially true for underpinning where the consequences of getting it wrong can be catastrophic. TWf2023.02, June 2023 - LINK A joint publication with ASUC, the Association of Specialist Underpinning Contractors - a registered trade association ...
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Rebar Guide (Part 2, Technical) - Corrigendum 2

By David Thomas posted 25-05-2023
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CORRIGENDUM 2 Temporary condition of reinforcement cages prior to concreting: Part 2 (technical guidance) To clarify the advice on 'wind loading' - following some queries - changes, marked in the margin, have been made to Pages 12 to 14. (The worked examples are, accordingly, marked as "Under Review") - See LINK 25.5.23
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TWf appoints Operations Director

By David Thomas posted 11-05-2023
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TWf appoints Operations Director The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) is pleased to announce the appointment of Robin James to the role of TWf Operations Director. Robin says: “I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the TWf members, and the wider temporary works community. After many years as NASC Managing Director, and prior active involvement in the UK stonemasonry sector, I am delighted to accept the challenge of taking the vital work of the TWf forward to the next level, and the equally important task of promoting greater engagement with its work by the wider industry. I have set out some aims, objectives, and strategies which will ...
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Lateral stability: Top restrained falsework (or not)?

By David Thomas posted 09-05-2023
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TW23.067 (9.5.23) TWf INFORMATION SHEET No. 17 Lateral stability: Top restrained falsework (or not)? The consideration of the lateral stability of falsework is important. In the design of falsework, there is a difference between falsework which is top-restrained and falsework which is freestanding . Top-restrained falsework does not provide its own lateral stability but relies on external support. This support is normally provided by the adjacent permanent works. TWf Information Sheet No. 17 - LINK - acts as a reminder to consider the lateral stability of falsework.
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Special Edition: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering

By David Thomas posted 28-04-2023
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Special Edition: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering A Special Edition is available to purchase now (free to ICE members), at LINK Read the great blog by Angie Hunter, Temporary works: the backstage of construction , free at: LINK Reflecting on the Special Edition, Angie concludes: Raising awareness This first ever issue on temporary works serves to support the goal of raising awareness for this topic. Everyone can play a part. Academics can encourage the next generation of engineers to explore the exciting and rewarding field of temporary works. Those working within a public agency could learn about and ...
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Embodied carbon in temporary works

By David Thomas posted 16-03-2023
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Embodied carbon in temporary works The TWf has published TWf2023.01, Embodied carbon in temporary works ( LINK ). Synopsis The construction industry is a heavy carbon emitter. Those working in it have the responsibility and opportunity to decarbonise. This extends to the full spectrum of the industry including those considering temporary works. The purpose of this guidance is to assist those modelling carbon associated with temporary works (TW) to calculate and quantify subsequent reductions in embodied carbon. The guidance provides commentary on achieving this with consistency across the industry against a backdrop of a great many tools and methodologies ...
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Rebar stability – technical guidance - CORRIGENDUM

By David Thomas posted 13-03-2023
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CORRIGENDUM Temporary condition of reinforcement cages prior to concreting: Part 2 (technical guidance) To correct some incorrect figures in Appendix A, a CORRIGENDUM has been published. See LINK . NOTE: The whole document can be downloaded with the corrigendum included. Alternatively, Page 76 (Appendix A) and the Front Cover are available separately. 13.3.23
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Rebar stability – technical guidance

By David Thomas posted 11-11-2022
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TWf GUIDANCE Rebar stability – technical guidance The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) has published revised guidance, Temporary condition of reinforcement cages prior to concreting: Part 2 – Technical guidance (Ref.: TWf2021: 01, November 2022). A copy can be downloaded (free) from: LINK SYNOPSIS Prior to being encased in concrete a reinforcement cage should be considered as an item of temporary works. This guide (‘Part 2’) has been produced to supplement ‘Part 1’ (Ref. TWf2020: 03) by providing further detailed engineering explanation of the issues involved. It also provides design guidance for cages assembled in their final position on site and ...
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Assessment and management of outrigger loading

By David Thomas posted 13-09-2022
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NEW Assessment and management of outrigger loading (Document, TWf2022:002; Published, September 2022) Now published and available at, LINK Outriggers (or stabilisers) maintain the stability of many types of construction plant such as mobile telescopic cranes, concrete pumps, lorry loaders and mobile elevating working platforms (MEWPs) during setup and when in use. The outrigger (or stabiliser) foot typically applies a vertical load to the ground, often via a spreader mat (commonly known as an outrigger mat) to reduce the bearing pressure. The management of outrigger loading is a specific part of the wider management of this type of construction ...
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Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs): a basic guide

By David Thomas posted 02-03-2022
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The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) has issued some new guidance, 'Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs): a basic guide' (TWf2022:01): LINK Synopsis With the prevalence of Self-Propelled Modular Transport (SPMT) operations in the temporary works realm increasing, it was considered that a wider base of foundation knowledge should be available to those who are inclined to pursue this option. Accordingly, a Working Group (WG) - with a range of experience and perspectives on SPMT-led projects in civil engineering settings - was convened. The WG’s aim was to prepare guidance that summarised the key elements of SPMT operations and provides a basic understanding ...
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Collated list of TWf Guidance (with hyperlinks)

By David Thomas posted 14-02-2022
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This document provides a collated list of TWf Guidance - and other useful information - with hyperlinks, where available: LINK v7, 17.3.23 #collated #list #twf #guidance #with #hyperlinks
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Safety alert protocol: Temporary works

By David Thomas posted 06-01-2022
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The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) has issued Information Sheet No. 15, Safety Alert Protocol: Temporary Works (TW21.138, 6.1.22): LINK The circulation of factually incorrect, misleading or poorly written information contained in a safety alert can and does repeatedly cause unnecessary confusion within the industry. There can also be unwarranted. reputational damage. Once issued the author loses control of the document as it is passed from company to company, around the world, often being re-issued or rebranded with a different company letterhead (and even re-appearing years after it was first issued).
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TWf Safety Bulletin: Plastic outrigger mats/systems

By David Thomas posted 20-12-2021
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Ref.: TW21.144 Date: 20th December 2021 PLASTIC OUTRIGGER MATS/SYSTEMS - TWf SAFETY BULLETIN The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) is aware of concerns raised by several members regarding the stated capacity of some plastic outrigger mats/systems. A working group is currently looking at this and hopes to provide some guidance in the new year. See TWf Safety Bulletin, LINK .
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Considering temporary works early in a project: Reducing cost, improving buildability and reducing risk

By David Thomas posted 05-10-2021
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The TWf has published TWf Information Sheet No. 14 , Considering temporary works early in a project: Reducing cost, improving buildability and reducing risk - An information sheet aimed primarily at any client The problem facing clients: All construction work requires some form of temporary works (e.g. to support excavations, to support concrete whilst it gains strength, to support tower cranes). Temporary works are often a significant part of a project’s construction costs, sometime 50% or more. A significant failure may be catastrophic to budget, programme and reputation, as well as to safety. Even for simple schemes the efficient design, management and ...
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Construction prequalification questionnaires - Supplementary questions specific to temporary works

By David Thomas posted 25-06-2021
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The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) has issued Information Sheet No. 13, PAS 91, Construction prequalification questionnaires - Supplementary questions specific to temporary works ( TW21.081 , 18.6.21). A copy can be found (free) in the TWf's resources library: LINK
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BSI Flex 8670: v3.0 2021-04, Built environment – Core criteria for building safety in competence frameworks – Code of practice

By David Thomas posted 12-05-2021
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BSI has announced the release of the 3rd and final version of BSI Flex 8670: v3.0 2021-04, Built environment – Core criteria for building safety in competence frameworks – Code of practice The Flex is the result of BSI's Project Advisory Group reaching consensus on the comments received during two public consultations. BSI’s Flex Standards provide a new, flexible way to develop consensus-based good practice that dynamically adapts to keep pace with fast-changing markets. BSI Flex standards are produced by the UK national standards body, BSI Standards Limited. The development of BSI Flex 8670 has been sponsored by The Ministry of Housing, Communities ...
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The Bragg Report

By David Thomas posted 23-04-2021
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Today's basic philosophy for the use and operation of the temporary works to support in situ concrete, precast units and steelwork - better known as 'falsework' - was established following a number of major collapses in the early 1970s. The subsequent report, the Final Report of the Advisory Committee on Falsework (HMSO) - better known as the Bragg Report - was published in 1975 and set requirements for the erection and stability of these temporary structures. The recommendations were substantially incorporated into a British Standard Code of Practice in 1982 (now BS 5975: 2019 , Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress ...
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Remembering the Birling Road Bridge Collapse 50 Years On

By David Thomas posted 22-03-2021
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REMEMBERING Today (22nd March 2021) marks 50-years since the falsework collapse on the Birling Road Bridge, Kent, during concreting; killing one worker (Victor Woodger, 25). A summary was included later in the "Bragg Report" (and is reproduced in a summary article: LINK ).
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TWf Yearbook 2021/22

By David Thomas posted 18-03-2021
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The TWf is pleased to provide the link to its new Yearbook 2021/22, LINK #twf #twf #Yearbook
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