As the building design progresses and selections are made for individual areas of the building, the overall system must be a focus in your process.

Along with hydraulic demands there are other risk factors that should be considered when selecting a channel system and deciding on placement.

There has been a recent trend for council RFIs and requests from specifiers around threshold detailing vs surface water drainage, with confusion around the separation of their functions. Threshold drainage and surface water drainage are designed to perform two different tasks. Here I outline some of the commonly queried situations.

Understanding and applying Test Standard AS1530.4 — Section 10.12 Permissible Variations to projects can dramatically increase the availability of passive fire stopping solutions.

There are a range of approaches to how a low-pitched roof can be designed, it could include an internal gutter and/or drain into a rainwater head and the lowest point, or through a traditional roof drain outlet. 

Like many long-lasting, tried and tested materials, mastic asphalt is being re-imagined, modified and re-examined as a highly relevant building solution for today. 

Engineered laminated timber — beware of short term protection that leads to longer term pain.

The right glass selection can mitigate the effects of solar heat gain while allowing outdoor views and natural light, creating a more comfortable learning environment for students and teachers, while not requiring extra ongoing operational costs. 

As new pipe types emerge in the market, it is crucial to maintain up-to-date testing to address the unique requirements each type presents.

Glass balustrades can elevate building design, but for a safe and compliant installation it is crucial to consider both glass and hardware together.