The Single Construction Regulator Prospectus: Consultation Document, was published in December by the Government, which without doubt will impact the fenestration industry. Here, Glass Times editor, Luke Wood, catches up with Richard Sellman, BFRC managing director, to get an Approved Body take on what this could mean for glass, window and door manufacturers going forward.
The latest move from the Government in the wake of the Grenfell Inquiry is the publication of the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus: Consultation Document, released last December.
Although doors, windows and glass make up just part of the wider construction industry, which is the main focus of the paper, initial review of the contents echo those messages that the British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) has been saying for a while – that much greater focus will be placed on performance claims of products across the sector, changes will need to be made for anyone not complying and the proposed regulatory body will be paying even closer attention.
The publication of this paper is a fundamental first step towards making these changes and ensuring products are fit for purpose.
Luke Wood (LW): Explain to us what this Prospectus is all about.
Richard Sellman (RS): This consultation document sets out the initial plans for the Government to move towards a Single Construction Regulator, which although covers the wider construction industry in general, products from across the fenestration industry will play a significant part.
The document sets out the areas they propose the Regulator may govern, which include buildings safety and performance, sustainability, products being fit for purpose and the use of trusted systems.
LW: How do you think this will roll out?
RS: The Grenfell Inquiry Report uncovered systemic institutional, enforcement and regulatory issues and some of the issues identified were systemic across the entire construction industry. Failings identified included the fact that enforcement has been an issue, ‘….as almost non-existent’, and we believe this, along with the other points highlighted, will become a key point of focus as we move towards a better system in the future.
LW: How do you see this impacting the glass and glazing industry?
RS: The point of this document is to start to shape how construction product regulation will look going forward. Safety products, such as fire doorsets and heat-soaked toughened glass, are mentioned and other products which fall within the categories mentioned previously, will also be included – but it is likely that the entire industry will be covered.
The need for more stringent regulation of construction products is outlined as well as the need to maintain a publicly available library of test data, so it’s all about being accountable and proving procedures and processes have been followed correctly and products perform to the required level.
LW: How does the BFRC plan to react?
RS: Along with the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and other relevant bodies, we are working on a collective, informed response and are fully supportive of anything that promotes better performance and safety across our industry.
LW: What can businesses start doing now to make sure they’re prepared?
RS: The first step should be a gap analysis across what you do against what is legally required. If you’re doing everything as you should be, then great.
If you feel there are some areas that fall short, then investigate and revise your process. It’s not always easy to stop and take the time to carry out these checks, but it’s a great and necessary first action towards getting an understanding that you are actually achieving the results you believe you are.
In summary, this is a hugely positive step forward and one that as an industry, we should welcome. However this plays out, the intention is to improve standards in order to ensure products are fit for purpose in a safe and sustainable way, which can only be a good thing.
To read the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus: Consultation Document, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/single-construction-regulator-prospectus
To contact the BFRC, visit www.bfrc.org or call 0207 403 9200
