AluK supports contractors applying for BSR approval

AluK says it has come up with an innovative way to support architects and main contractors applying for Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approval – even at PCSA stage.

The aluminium systems company is offering comprehensive, off-the-shelf technical submission packs for its glazed facades which architects and main contractors can add to their BSR applications and then, if required, use to competitively tender the project from AluK’s network of authorised commercial installers after approval has been received.

The packs include full NBS specifications for AluK’s window, door and curtain walling systems, product data sheets and sectional details in .DWG, structural and thermal calculations, full interface details and the mandatory competency statement. The details are tailored for each individual project, and include all the necessary test data from AluK’s in-house test facility.

Jordan Kingman, AluK’s head of commercial projects, says the packs have been developed in close collaboration with main contractors who have been applying for BSR approval earlier in the process to try to circumvent the current delays, while still fulfilling all the requirements of the Building Safety Act (BSA).

He explained: “We wholeheartedly support the aims of the BSA, but the backlog in BSR approvals – and the number of submissions being rejected, withdrawn or classed as invalid, means contractors need more support than ever.

“AluK’s managing director Russell Yates and I are both MSc qualified in façade engineering so technical knowledge and competence are at the very heart of this business. We understand the risk that contractors face and the kind of support which is most valuable to them, and we’ve already had very positive feedback from the main contractors we’ve worked with on this latest initiative.

“Because we have such significant in-house resource in our technical, design and testing teams, we can be as flexible as contractors and their design teams need in terms of pack content and provide as much guidance as contractors need on preparing and issuing the tenders to our customers. Working with AluK as a systems house for BSR submissions ensures contractors are not placing all their eggs in one basket and they can still competitively tender to our approved installers once approval has been granted.”

Jordan added: “It’s very encouraging to see the efforts the Ministry of Housing Community and Local Government (MHCLG) is taking to reduce the backlog in BSR approvals – specifically the creation of a new independent board to take over the functions of the BSR from the HSE. But, even if this new board is able to standardise decision making and speed up approvals in the way that we hope, there will always be the potential for costly delays if contractors’ submissions are rejected because of a lack of information from suppliers.

“Of the 193 new-build high risk applications lodged since the system was launched for instance, just 15 (8%) have successfully navigated the approval gateway, with 17 being rejected and 32 judged invalid or withdrawn, so it’s obvious that anything that suppliers like AluK can do to smooth the process will be welcome.

“We will obviously continue to collaborate with architects, contractors, fabricators and installers to ensure our support keeps pace with any changes imposed by the new independent board.”