At the end of June 2002 an international colloquium will be held in Prague, 'Euro-SiBRAM 2002' (Simulation-Based Reliability Assessment Methods) aimed at the application of the Monte Carlo methods for assessing the reliability of constructions.

The expansion of computer technology and the dramatic growth in the potential of computers, to which every planner has access, has for some time drawn attention in the area of assessing the reliability of constructions through non-traditional methods founded on a full-probability concept and on the use of the Monte Carlo methods as a powerful tool in the hands of planners. In the Czech Republic, Prof. Ing. Pavel Marek and Ing. Milan Guštar have since 1987 gradually been laying down the path towards creating the qualitatively new non-traditional methods of SBRA.

Among the experts who have been active in spreading information in the field of applying simulation-based methods and who will be participating at Euro-SiBRAM 2002 are Prof. G.I. Schueller, whose lecture at the colloquium, covering the current state, direction of development, and application in this area will open the discussions, and Professor A. Haldar and Professor S. Mahadevan from the USA, who are co-authors of two books on the results of their extensive theoretical research and the results of applied research and application.

The town fortifications of Jihlava merit special attention, not only owing to the former military significance of the city of Jihlava, but also the wealth of resources including preserved remains which are among the largest to be found in the Czech Lands. The town fortifications include more than just the ring of fortifications running around the inner part of the town. Also of military significance were the church or other towers, and various other facilities serving the town in the case of emergency or later the permanent garrison. Such facilities include the armoury, the powder magazine, the barracks, the storehouse, etc. The town fortifications in the Middle Ages were not only of military significance, but also played an important security role.

In January and February of this year a set of five European testing standards was issued along with the classification standard for setting the reaction level of construction materials to fire.

By the end of the first half-year these standards will be incorporated into the collection of Czech Building Standards. By 31 December 2003, all pre-existing Czech standards for testing flammability of construction materials will become invalid. This entirely different method of testing and classifying construction products according to reaction involves fundamental changes in the assessment of fire safety of a number of construction products. The article provides a description of the testing procedures, explains the use of criteria values of heat development, the spread of flames, drainage, and optic density of smoke, for categorizing construction products into European classifications of reaction to fire.

Chimneys are often perceived as a peripheral piece of construction when planning and carrying out construction work, or are considered one of the areas where it is possible to save on materials and construction. As a result the chimney can become a problem during the drainage of combustion products, a fire hazard in the building, or a toxic or lethal threat to whoever is using the fuel appliances.

In recent years a variety of fuel appliances have come into use, each of which with specific requirements for the drainage of combustion products. For this reason it is essential to choose a kind of chimney construction that is suited to the set requirements of the manufacturers of individual appliances. The purpose of this paper is to familiarize the professional public with the latest regulations and materials related to this area.