Training & Documentation Are Essential In A New Era

With demonstrable competence now one of the most important issues in construction, CAB explains why training, documentation and shared technical knowledge are key.

This is true for all construction product manufacturers and installers, but the Council for Aluminium in Building is focused on helping those in the aluminium fenestration business navigate a changing regulatory landscape.

Over the past few years, competence has emerged as a defining construction requirement and in the post-Grenfell regulatory environment, merely talking the talk is no longer enough. With accountability front and centre, the whole construction supply chain must be able to clearly demonstrate and document compliance, particularly where safety-critical and high-performance building products are concerned.

More than words

“It is no longer enough for companies or individuals to simply say that they know what they are doing,” said Nigel Headford, CEO at the Council.

“It requires more than just words. They must be able to actually prove that they have the relevant knowledge or experience and that they have the required processes in place…that they clearly understand their responsibilities. That is what clients, regulators and building owners increasingly want to see.”

As the changing regulatory landscape increases the importance of accurate product data, a clear audit trail, showing who was responsible for what and when, is essential.

Answers at hand

“Good information is becoming just as important as good products,” Headford continued. “If any questions arise later in a building’s life, companies need confidence that the right information will be available to help them answer those questions.”

Modern aluminium façade and window systems are expected to meet a growing list of performance requirements. Fire safety remains a critical focus, while thermal performance, acoustics, weather resistance, security, accessibility and sustainability are also high priorities.

As products become more sophisticated, the decisions made during design, manufacture and installation are often closely interconnected. Competence, responsibility and accountability are necessary at every stage, from specification and design through to manufacture, fabrication, installation, maintenance and replacement.

Traceability

“For specifiers, that could mean demonstrating a robust understanding of product performance and regulatory requirements,” said Headford. “While for systems companies, it is about providing clear technical information and support.”

With traceability an essential factor of compliance, regulations place increased importance on accurate information, clear product data, technical documentation and a proper record of responsibility throughout a project’s lifecycle.

This makes training and knowledge sharing increasingly important, as Headford explained: “The industry needs ongoing access to technical updates, best practice guidance and opportunities to share knowledge, as standards, regulations and client expectations continue to evolve.

“Keeping up with all these changes requires time and investment and this is something we are very aware of at CAB. Acting as our members’ eyes, ears and voice to help them stay informed, connected and better prepared through guidance, technical information, training, events and industry representation is a big part of what we do.”

Better buildings

At a time when aluminium is playing a growing role in energy-efficient buildings, refurbishment projects and modern façade design, the result of CAB’s efforts is a more competent, better-informed aluminium supply chain that is likely to deliver better-performing buildings and stronger confidence in aluminium as a material.

“Our members are dealing with increasing technical, regulatory and commercial pressures,” said Headford. “Competence might look slightly different for the various types of businesses and organisations that populate the sector, yet the end goal is the same.

“Our aim is not to add another layer of burden but to help companies stay informed, connected and better prepared. We can see that our work to achieve this is already paying off, both for our members and the wider construction sector.”

Picture: Reinforcing competence as the new currency in construction, says Nigel Headford of the Council for Aluminium in Building.

www.c-a-b.org.uk