Regulations – Action Not Reaction Required

As the pace and complexity of regulatory change affecting the aluminium in building sector steps up, CAB has called for a proactive rather than reactive approach.

From radical safety reforms and Gateway 2 scrutiny to net-zero targets and rising performance expectations, the UK construction industry is undergoing a period of significant regulatory and technical change.

With the industry under increasing pressure to deliver buildings that are not only safe but also high-performing, environmentally sound and compliant.

“In a post-Grenfell world that is now dominated by the Building Safety Act and the Building Safety Regulator, the whole construction supply chain is evolving,” said Nigel Headford, the CEO at the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB).

“And with energy efficiency and sustainability standards also tightening, there are an awful lot of balls to keep in the air.”

Advisory organisation

Headford added: “It is our job, here at CAB, to demystify these new requirements, unpick any complexities and help our members stay ahead of the curve.

“For CAB, this role is a very important one, because failure to keep pace with the rapidly shifting landscape is likely to come at a price.”

Risk

From project delays to failed approvals, costly rework and reputational damage that reverberates throughout the supply chain, companies unable to demonstrate compliance and competence could put themselves and their partners at a growing commercial disadvantage.

“With such a far-reaching overhaul of regulations, every construction product and process is affected,” Headford said: “The challenge for many businesses is not just understanding that change is happening but understanding how to implement it.

“The regulations themselves can be highly technical and open to interpretation, so there is a real need for clear guidance on what needs to be done, who needs to do it, and when.”

Technical Conference

Helping its members interpret regulatory developments and understand how they impact everything from system design to fabrication, specification, installation and overall building performance, CAB offers technical updates, guidance notes, committees, consultations and training opportunities.

Its recent Technical Conference at Loughborough University is a case in point. Bringing together industry experts and members, the event explored what competence in the built environment means in practice, from workforce skills through to product specification and how businesses can respond to increasing scrutiny and accountability.

The speaker lineup included Daniel Barrowcliffe, Industry Competence Policy Lead at the BSR, Richard Jekiel of Schüco, John Mannell of the Glass & Glazing Federation and Carl Woodwiss of Element Materials Technology.

“With key themes covering safety, competency frameworks, the Gateway process, product testing, installation best practice and evidence of compliance, it was a really great way for our members to reinforce their knowledge and understanding of these issues, to better prepare for what is ahead,” said Headford.

“It is this proactive engagement that helps businesses to stay informed, improve compliance confidence and remain competitive in an environment where standards and expectations are continuing to rise.”

Resources

CAB provides a collective, authoritative voice and technical resource to help members make informed decisions, reduce risk and remain competitive.

“Helping our members keep up with new developments as the industry continues to change is vital for the future success and prosperity of the aluminium in building sector,” concluded Headford.

Picture: The Council for Aluminium in Building’s Technical Conference brought together industry experts and members to explore what competence in the built environment means in practice, from workforce skills through to product specification and how businesses can respond to increasing scrutiny and accountability.

www.c-a-b.org.uk