BSRIA’s new guide entitled Safety in Building Services Design aims to help designers with the space planning of building services.

Space, and the cost of providing space, for plant and building services distribution is at a premium and designers often come under pressure to reduce the spatial requirements for building services installations.

Designers have an obligation to understand the likely installation and maintenance work required in the buildings they design and must take care to provide safe means of access for installation, maintenance and equipment replacement. In addition, there needs to be an awareness of the legislative requirements that a design may impose on the installer and end user. A design solution can often impose additional legal responsibilities, particularly in undertaking associated operation and maintenance activities.

This guide is intended for use by designers and provides guidance on designing for safety for both new build and refurbishment projects.

Chapters cover: relevant legislation including CDM; hazards and risks; space requirements and access provision; maintenance; plant room design and communication.

The guide includes a free download of an editable design considerations checklist provided in Excel format. It is also attached to the pdf of this publication.

In addition, BSRIA has just launched a new Safety in Building Services Design training course that is supported by this guide and is due to take place on 12 November. See www.bsria.co.uk/goto/sbsdtc for more information.

Hard copies are priced at £30 to BSRIA members or £60 to non-members. PDFs are free to download for BSRIA members and priced at £60 to non-members.