Construction Industry Abbreviations
ABE
Full name: Association of Building Engineers
Website: http://www.abe.org.uk
Established: 1925
Description: Originally founded as the Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors, changing to the current name in 1993.
ACE
Full name: Association for Consultancy and Engineering
Website: http://www.acenet.co.uk
Established: 1913
Description: Formerly the Association of Consulting Engineers, changing to its current name in 2004. Represents the business interests of the consultancy and engineering industry in the UK. The UK member of FIDIC.
ACED
Full name: Association of Civil Engineering Departments
Website: http://www.aced.org.uk
ACoP
Full name: Approved Code of Practice
Description: Term often used by HSE when publishing its guidance.
ALARA
Description: As Low As Reasonably Achievable (see ALARP)
ALARP
Full name: As Low As Reasonably Practicable
Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/theory/alarpglance.htm
Description: A risk is ALARP if it cannot be further reduced except at a cost or effort which would be grossly disproportionate to the benefit.
APS
Full name: Association for Project Safety
Website: http://www.aps.org.uk
Established: 1995
Description: Originally founded as the Association of Planning Supervisors, changing to the current name in 2004. Represents those working as planning supervisors under the CDM regulations.
ASCE
Full name: American Society of Civil Engineers
Website: http://www.asce.org
Established: 1852
Description: Has over 137,000 members worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society.
BCA
Full name: British Cement Association
Website: http://www.bca.org.uk
Established: 1935
Description: Formerly the Cement and Concrete Association (C&CA), becoming the BCA in 1987. Has four members who produce 90% of the cement sold in the UK.
BCCB
Full name: British Consultants and Construction Bureau
Website: http://www.bccb.org.uk
Established: 1965
Description: Export trade association with 280 member companies, founded as the British Overseas Engineering Services Bureau and then the British Consultants Bureau.
BCSA
Full name: British Constructional Steelwork Association
Website: http://www.steelconstruction.org
Established: 1936
BDA
Full name: Brick Development Association
Website: http://www.brick.org.uk
Established: 1954
Description: Promotes the use of clay bricks and pavers in architectural, structural, landscape and craft applications.
Belle Isle Report
Full name: An Institution for 2010
Website: http://www.istructe.org.uk/about/files/2010.pdf
Established: 2002
Description: A meeting held at Belle Isle in Northern Ireland in June 2001 initiated this strategy document on how the IStructE should develop over the following 8 years.
BGS
Full name: British Geological Survey
Website: http://www.bgs.ac.uk
Established: 1835
Description: Originally founded as the Geological Ordnance Survey.
BMS
Full name: British Masonry Society
Website: http://www.masonry.org.uk
Established: 1986
Description: Individual and corporate membership worldwide, disseminating research information on all aspects of masonry construction.
BRE
Full name: Building Research Establishment
Website: http://www.bre.co.uk
Established: 1921
Description: Originally the Building Research Station which was set up to carry out research and assist the building industry during the post First World War reconstruction period.
BSI
Full name: British Standards Institution
Website: http://www.bsi-global.com
Established: 1901
Description: Formed as the Engineering Standards Committee to standardise structural steel sections and tramway rails to reduce costs. Initially an industry body, supported by Government. The British Standard "kitemark" was first used in 1903. Changed its name to BESA (British Engineering Standards Association) in 1918 and to the current name in 1931.
BTS
Full name: British Tunnelling Society
Website: http://www.britishtunnelling.org
Established: 1971
Description: Associated society of the ICE.
CABE
Full name: Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
Website: http://www.cabe.org.uk
Established: 1999
Description: Government's advisor on architecture, urban design and public space.
CARE
Full name: Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers
Website: http://www.ice.org.uk/knowledge/specialist_buildings.asp
Established: 2004
Description: Established by ICE and IStructE to help identify engineers skilled in conservation work.
CDM
Full name: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994
Website: http://www.hmso.gov.uk/stat.htm
Established: 1995
Description: Published as Statutory Instrument SI 3140 of 1994 and amended in 2000 as SI 2380, applies to all construction work and sets out a framework of duties and responsibilities for health and safety. In 2004 the HSE published Managing safety in construction (HSG224), an ACoP on the Regulations which clarifies the roles of the various duty holders, how to assess competence and resources, how to prepare health and safety plans and what should be in the health and safety file.
CECA
Full name: Civil Engineering Contractors Association
Website: http://www.ceca.co.uk
Established: 1996
Description: Trade association with 350 member companies. Took over the activities of the former FCEC, including the “Blue book” subcontract, the Working Rule Agreement and Schedule of dayworks.
CHSG
Full name: Construction Health and Safety Group
Website: http://www.chsg.co.uk
Established: 1952
Description: Focuses on health and safety training provision, has around 500 member companies.
CIAT
Full name: Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
Website: http://www.ciat.org.uk
Established: 1965
Description: Founded as the Society of Architectural and Associated Technicians (SAAT), changing its name to British Institute of Architectural Techncians (BIAT) in 1986, then to British Institute of Architectural Technologists in 1994 and now to its current name in 2005.
CIB
Full name: Construction Industry Board
Established: 1995 (Disbanded in 2001)
Description: Set up by construction industry bodies, clients and government to drive forward the key initiatives of the Latham Report, publishing 14 working group reports. Not to be confused with another CIB, the French based International Council for Building which has encouraged cooperation in building research since 1953.
CIBSE
Full name: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
Website: http://www.cibse.org
Established: 1976
Description: An amalgamation of the Institution of Heating and Ventilation Engineers (founded in 1897) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (founded in 1909). The word Engineers was added to CIBSE’s title in 1985.
CIC
Full name: Construction Industry Council
Website: http://www.cic.org.uk
Established: 1988
Description: Originally the Building Industry Council, changing the name to CIC in 1990. A forum for professional bodies, research organisations and specialist business associations in the construction industry.
CIC Futures Group
Established: 2004
Description: Assists the professional institutions serving the built and natural environment in providing services to society, through greater integration, collaboration and co-operation.
CIOB
Full name: Chartered Institute of Building
Website: http://www.ciob.org.uk
Established: 1834
Description: Originally founded as The Builders Society, now has 40,000 members worldwide
CIRIA
Full name: Construction Industry Research and Information Association
Website: http://www.ciria.org.uk
Established: 1960
Description: Independent broker and publisher of construction industry research with 780 member organisations. Originally founded as the CERC (Civil Engineering Research Council), renamed CERA (Civil Engineering Research Association) in 1964 and became CIRIA in 1967.
CITB-ConstructionSkills
Website: http://www.citb.org.uk
Established: 2003
Description: Formerly the Construction Industry Traing Board, provides assistance in all aspects of recruiting, training and qualifying for the construction industry.
Concrete Centre
Website: http://www.concretecentre.com
Established: 2003
Description: By providing a focal point for the entire UK concrete sector, The Concrete Centre aims to assist all those who design and construct in concrete, whether they work for national or local government, client bodies, architectural practices, civil and structural engineering consultancies, main and specialist contractors or housebuilders.
Concrete Society
Website: http://www.concrete.org.uk
Established: 1966
Description: Provides and publishes technical guidance. Runs the Concrete Advisory Service.
Constructing Excellence
Full name: http://www.constructingexcellence.org
Established: 2003
Description: Non-profit organisation seeking to improve and reform the construction industry by encouraging innovation, best practice knowledge, productivity and engagement. A merger of Rethinking Construction and the Construction Best Practice Programme.
Construction Confederation
Website: http://www.constructionconfederation.co.uk/
Established: 1997
Description: Originated in 1878 as the National Association of Master Builders of Great Britain, adding Ireland to the title in 1901. The name was changed in 1928 to the National Federation of Building Trades Employees (NFBTE), in 1984 to the Building Employers Confederation (BEC) and to its present name in 1997. A representative body for contractors, currently comprising six organisations – National Federation of Builders, CECA, Major Contractors Group, National Contractors Federation, British Woodworking Federation and Scottish Building. Runs the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
ConstructionSkills
Website: http://www.constructionskills.net/
Established: 2003
Description: ConstructionSkills is a partnership between CITB-ConstructionSkills, CIC and CITB (NI) and is one of the Sector Skills Councils tasked by the Government to implement UK-wide Sector Skills Agreements between the bodies responsible for delivering training in the UK and those that require it.
CROSS
Full name: Confidential Reporting on Matters of Structural Safety
Website: http://www.scoss.org.uk/CROSS/index.asp
Established: 2005
Description: A pilot study for the collation of data on matters of concern relating to structural safety.
CSCS
Full name: Construction Skills Certification Scheme
Website: http://www.cscs.uk.com
Established: 1995
Description: CSCS aims to register every competent construction operative within the UK not currently on a skills registration scheme. Operatives get an individual registration card which lasts for three or five years. The CSCS card also provides evidence that the holder has undergone health and safety awareness training or testing.
CTBUH
Full name: Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
Website: http://www.ctbuh.org
Established: 1969
Description: Originally formed by IABSE and ASCE as the Joint Committee on Tall Buildings, changing to the current name in 1976.
CWCT
Full name: Centre for Window and Cladding Technology
Website: http://www.cwct.co.uk
Established: 1989
Description: Industry funded information provider and trainer in the field of building envelopes and glazing, based at Bath University.
EA
Full name: Environment Agency
Website: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Established: 1996
Description: A non-departmental public body sponsored by DEFRA, established under the Environment Act 1995.
EC(UK)
Website: http://www.engc.org.uk
Established: 1962
Description: Umbrella body for the 36 engineering Institutions, broadly responsible for the regulation, registration and qualification of engineers. Formed by the “Big 3” of ICE, IMechE and IEE as the Engineering Institutions’ Joint Council (EIJC) and grew into the Council of Engineering Institutions (CEI) in 1965 as more institutions came on board. Became the Engineering Council in 1981 as a result of a recommendation of the Finniston Report Engineering our future and changed the name to EC(UK) in 2002 when the new ETB was established.
Egan Report
Full name: Rethinking Construction
Website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/construction/rethink/report/
Established: 1998
Description: Identified five key drivers of change to set the agenda for the construction industry - committed leadership, a focus on the customer, integrated processes and teams, a quality-driven agenda and a commitment to people. Followed up by a 2002 report Accelerating change.
ENA
Full name: Energy Networks Association
Website: http://www.energynetworks.org
Established: 2003
Description: Represents UK gas and electricity transmission and distribution licence holders.
EPSRC
Full name: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Website: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk
Established: 1996
Description: Government funded, non-departmental government public body, the main UK agency for funding research in engineering.
ETB
Full name: Engineering and Technology Board
Website: http://www.etechb.co.uk/
Established: 2002
Description: Created out of the Engineering Council’s Engine for change role. Works in partnership with EC(UK), industry, Government, education and the profession to improve the perception of science, engineering and technology in the UK, with an emphasis on meeting present and future skills needs.
F10
Full name: Notification of Construction Project
Website: https://www.hse.gov.uk/forms/notification/f10.pdf
Description: Form to be issued to the HSE by the CDM Co-ordinator
FCEC
Full name: Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
Established: 1919 (Disbanded in 1996)
Description: Trade association, disbanded when several of its larger members broke off to form the Major Contractors Group. Its functions and activities are continued by the CECA.
FIDIC
Full name: International Federation of Consulting Engineers
Website: http://www.fidic.org
Established: 1913
FPS
Full name: Federation of Piling Specialists
Website: http://www.fps.org.uk
Established: 1963
Description: Represents 18 leading UK piling and foundation specialist firms, publishes technical guidance.
HA
Full name: Highways Agency
Website: http://www.highways.gov.uk
Established: 1994
Description: An executive agency of the Department for Transport, responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in England with a major role in delivering the Government's Ten Year Plan for Transport.
HK GEO
Full name: Hong Kong Geotechnical Engineering Office
Website: http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/services/control/index.htm
Established: 1977
Description: Formerly the Hong Kong Geotechnical Control Office, established after the Hong Kong landslip disasters in the 1970s. Main duties are the control of geotechnical aspects of construction works and upgrading of substandard slopes to reduce landslip risk.
HSE
Full name: Health & Safety Executive
Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk
Established: 1974
Description: Helps the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) ensure that risks to people's health and safety from work activities are properly controlled. Carries out and sponsors research, provides training and advice and publishes guidance and approved codes of practice (ACoPs).
IABSE
Full name: International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering
Website: http://www.iabse.ethz.ch/
Established: 1929
Description: An international technical association, with national groups worldwide. Holds a Congress every two years and publishes reports and a quarterly journal Structural Engineering International.
IASS
Full name: International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures
Website: http://www.cedex.es/lceym/ia_iass/ia_iass.html
Established: 1959
Description: Founded by Eduardo Torroja, a forum for the study of lightweight structural systems such as lattice, tension, membrane, and shell structures.
ICE
Full name: Institution of Civil Engineers
Website: http://www.ice.org.uk
Established: 1818
Description: The first of the engineering Institutions in the UK, currently has around 70,000 members worldwide
ICOLD
Full name: International Commission on Large Dams
Website: http://www.icold-cigb.org
Established: 1928
Description: Is a non-governmental International Organization with 83 member countries providing a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering.
ICW
Full name: Institute of Clerks of Works
Website: http://www.icwgb.org
Established: 1882
Description: Formed in 1882 and became an incorporated body in 1903. Exists to provide a central organisation to protect and promote the interests, professional, educational and social, of those involved in what can be an isolated calling. Clerks of Works ensure quality of both materials and workmanship within construction, remaining impartial and independent in their deliberations and recommendations.
IET
Full name: Institution of Engineering and Technology
Website: http://www.theiet.org/
Established: 2006
Description: Formed by a merger of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE)
IHIE
Full name: Institution of Highway Incorporated Engineers
Website: http://www.ihie.org.uk
Established: 1965
Description: Initially established as the Association of Highway Technicians (AHT), became the Highway and Traffic Technicians Association (HTTA) in 1972 and became the IHIE in 1989.
IMechE
Full name: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Website: http://www.imeche.org.uk
Established: 1847
Description: Body for professional mechanical engineers with a world-wide membership now in excess of 75,000 engineers. The United Kingdom's qualifying body for Chartered and Incorporated mechanical engineers
ISO
Full name: International Organization for Standardization
Website: http://www.iso.org
Established: 1947
Description: Umbrella organisation representing national standards bodies worldwide. An earlier body the ISA (International Federation of National Standardizing Associations), primarily concerned with mechanical engineering, had existed between 1926 and 1942. Issues its own standards, notably ISO 9000 on quality management and ISO 14000 on environmental management.
IStructE
Full name: Institution of Structural Engineers
Website: http://www.istructe.org.uk
Established: 1908
Description: Originally founded as The Concrete Institute, changing to its current name in 1922 to reflect an extension of its coverage to all kinds of structures.
Executive Board:
Supersedes the President’s Committee and has taken on the role of the Trustees from Council. There are twelve members who oversee the organisation.
Council:
Meets around four times a year to discuss matters affecting IStructE. Comprises the President, ex-Presidents, Vice Presidents, elected members, co-opted members and branch chairmen.
Professional Conduct Committee (PCC):
Meets around four times a year to review complaints made against members of the Institution, to keep the Code of Conduct under review, to deal with misreprentations relating to IStructE and to oversee use by members of the IStructE logo. Comprises elected members and branch chairmen
Engineering Practice Committee (EPC):
Meets around four times a year to discuss contemporary engineering issues. Responsible for producing IStructE reports. Comprises elected members and branch representatives.
JBM
Full name: Joint Board of Moderators
Website: http://www.jbm.org.uk
Established: 1976
Description: Run jointly between ICE, IStructE, IHT and IHIE to advise and formulate policy on the accreditation process in UK universities.
Latham Report
Full name: Constructing the team
Established: 1994
Description: The Latham Report was a radical rethinking of the way the construction industry should operate, advocating teamwork and partnering, improving productivity and minimising confrontation. Latham advocated use of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) across the construction industry.
NEC
Full name: New Engineering Contract
Website: http://www.newengineeringcontract.com
Established: 1995 (2nd edition)
Description: A suite of 18 contract documents, encouraging partnering and all parties to work together closely through good project management practice.
NFDC
Full name: National Federation of Demolition Contractors
Website: http://www.demolition-nfdc.com
Established: 1941
NHBC
Full name: National House Building Council
Website: http://www.nhbc.co.uk
Established: 1937
Description: Sets standards and issues warranties and insurance for new and converted housing in the UK.
ODPM
Full name: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Website: http://www.odpm.gov.uk
Established: 2002
Description: Government department responsible for matters including building regulations and sustainable construction. ODPM evolved out of the former Department of the Environment (DOE) and Department of Transport (DTp) which underwent several reorganisations and name changes - Department of Environment Transport and the Regions (DETR) and Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLGR) - before becoming ODPM. Environmental matters are now covered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
RAPRA
Full name: Rapra Technology Ltd
Website: http://www.rapra.net
Established: 1919
Description: Formerly the Plastics and Rubber Research Institute.
RIBA
Full name: Royal Institute of British Architects
Website: http://www.riba.org
Established: 1834
RICS
Full name: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Website: http://www.rics.org
Established: 1868
RTPI
Full name: Royal Town Planning Institute
Website: http://www.rtpi.org.uk/
Established: 1914
Description: Membership organisation with most of its members fully qualified professional planners working in local councils, central government, for property developers, consultants or as teachers and researchers in universities.
SARTOR (see UK-SPEC)
SCI
Full name: Steel Construction Institute
Website: http://www.steel-sci.org
Established: 1986
Description: Took over the activities of the former CONSTRADO.
SCOSS
Full name: Standing Committee on Structural Safety
Website: http://www.scoss.org.uk
Established: 1976
Description: Independent body set up by IStructE, ICE and others to review building and civil engineering matters affecting structural safety. Publishes a report every two years.
SFAIRP
Full name: So Far As Is Reasonably Practicable (see ALARP)
SiD
Full name: Safety in Design
Website: http://www.safetyindesign.org/about.html
Established: 2003
Description: Issues benchmarked standards for knowledge and competence for designers.
TRADA
Full name: Timber Research and Development Association
Website: http://www.trada.co.uk
Established: 1934
Description: Publishes guidance and offers research and training in all aspects of timber. Runs an independent consultancy TRADA Technology Ltd.
UK CARES
Full name: UK Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels
Website: http://www.ukcares.co.uk
Established: 1983
Description: Certification body for the reinforced concrete industry
UK-SPEC
Full name: UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence
Website: http://www.ukspec.org.uk/
Established: 2003
Description: Replaced SARTOR as the registration standard for engineers and engineering technicians in the UK. Administered by EC(UK).
Please contact Rob Thomas with any corrections or suggested additions.
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