Large panel systems

Author: Various

Date published

3 April 2025

Price
Members: £45 + VAT
Standard: £70 + VAT

This has already been added to your basket.

The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers

Large panel systems

Tag
Author
Date published
Price
Training
Author

Various

Date published

3 April 2025

Author

Various

Price

Members: £45 + VAT
Standard: £70 + VAT

This has already been added to your basket.

Learn how to assess and strengthening large panel systems for safer, compliant structures.

An estimated 575 tower blocks built in the mid-to-late 1960s using pre-cast concrete floor and roof components still exist today. High-rise residential large panel system (LPS) buildings—those over 18m (seven storeys or more)—must undergo structural assessments in line with the new Building Safety Act (BSA).

 
While the responsibility to manage LPS risks is not new, recent legislation mandates that all reasonable steps be taken to mitigate fire and structural risks. Key concerns include wind loading, connection effectiveness, robustness, disproportionate collapse, and fire resistance. However, inconsistencies in past assessments, maintenance, and remediation have heightened these risks.
 
This on-demand webinar will provide case studies on historical defects in LPS buildings, the assessment process, and practical risk management strategies to ensure compliance and safety.
 

Reason to watch: 

  • Understand what an LPS system is and how to identify it.

  • Recognise known structural and fire safety issues in LPS.

  • Learn best practices for assessing, managing structural risk, and strengthening LPS structure.
     

Speakers:

Andrew Lawrence Director, Arup

Andrew is Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Cambridge University, represents the UK at European level in the development of regulations for both timber and existing structures, and is a member of the UK Government Building Advisory Committee where he leads the Working Group on New & Emerging Risks and Incidents. He is committed to helping improve the safety and sustainability of construction. He lectures worldwide, is regularly called on to provide expert comment in the media and has acted as technical expert in both litigation and mediation.

Gavin McLachlan Associate, Conisbee

Gavin is an Associate at Conisbee, having joined as a graduate from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow in 2014. He is a structural engineer who works largely on existing buildings including Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the Victoria Palace Theatre. He became a chartered member of the Institution of Structural Engineers in 2019. Whilst working on the London Borough of Newham’s Higher Risk Buildings, Gavin was an early user of the Institution’s new guidelines on providing safety case reports. He also co-authored the Institution’s ‘Assessment of Higher-Risk Buildings under the Building Safety Act: A Compendium of Structural Typologies’ publication, providing insight into Large Panel System construction.

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