The UK construction industry has undergone massive change since 2017’s Grenfell Tragedy. Landmark legislation has put a stop to many outdated and irresponsible practices, ushering in a new age where safety, responsibility, and transparency are at the heart of every building project.
As the Building Safety Act (BSA) requirements are rolled out across the industry, with Gateways 2 & 3 the latest to be enforced as of October 1st of this year, the pressure is on specifiers and manufacturers alike to respond and comply with new regulation.
Speaking at our Construction Leaders’ Summit last week, Dame Judith Hackitt had this message for the industry: rethink, reset, and take responsibility. Construction professionals collectively need to get their heads around these requirements and they need to do so fast.
The Government has been very clear on its position: those who fall foul of the regulator can expect the full weight of the law to come down on them if they can’t show the right processes are being followed. Now that the framework is in place, it’s down to the industry to prove its competence and commitment.
A week on, here are our three key takeaways from Hackitt’s speech.
Data is the name of the game
If they’re not already doing so, businesses within the sector need to start implementing the systems and safeguards for compliance. Going forward, digital information will be king, particularly when it comes to compiling the BSA’s Building Safety Case, which includes having complete, whole-life asset information, from planning to handover. Even the smallest information gap within a data set can have a significant knock-on effect and run the risk of slowing projects down further. After all, buildings can now only be occupied once the digital assets that support them are complete and correct.
It’s also about driving up quality, ensuring that any ‘value engineering’ is about value and not just about slashing costs. Fundamentally, it’s about maintaining good records throughout all stages of a project, creating a more transparent, accountable, and responsible industry.
All about collaboration
The responsibility to provide reliable data isn’t just shouldered by building designers, it’s also down to manufacturers to ensure that they are delivering reliable, honest data about the safety credentials of their products. Crucially, there needs to be a culture of collaboration at all phases of the building supply chain, ensuring that information is clear, well-structured, and readily available to all.
Manufacturers should not be tempted to let product capabilities be described in ‘marketing speak’ where misleading information can appear. Make no mistake, there’s now a regulator with powers to impose serious sanctions for those who continue to try and game the system.
A culture overhaul
Hackitt made it clear that the new regulations are about all buildings, not just high-rise ones. This means changing the way we plan, design, and deliver buildings and it starts with a culture overhaul to encourage real ownership across the entire construction supply chain.
The regulations will require a fundamental culture change and they will need many industry champions to ensure the new system works. Crucially, it’s about taking responsibility and demonstrating that buildings are safe and fit for purpose, to rebuild the trust and reputation which has been lost.
Luckily, there are lots of resources out there for construction professionals, including on the NBS website. Check out the series of articles which deep dive into what the new regime means for specifiers and manufacturers and watch Dame Judith’s Hackitt’s presentation from the Construction Leaders Summit in full.
