Practical guide aims to support industry compliance

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has published a new guide aimed at helping UK ductwork installers meet competence requirements under building safety legislation.

According to BESA, the free-to-download guide is the first in a series designed to assist the building services sector in understanding and applying the Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB) framework.

The Association said the move responds to growing legal obligations introduced following the Grenfell Tower fire and subsequent Hackitt Review, which identified widespread failures in demonstrating professional competence.

Developed with input from Milford & Marah, the Association of Ductwork Contractors and Allied Services (ADCAS), and the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), the document targets both individuals and companies.

BESA stated that the toolkit offers a “what good looks like” model to support contractors in meeting the requirements of the Building Safety Act and industry standards.

Sector collaboration backs new SKEB guidance

The content of the BESA guide aligns with the work of the Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority (EBSSA) and the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG), which are developing broader frameworks to assess industry competence.

BESA confirmed that future guides will follow the same structure, each tailored to different areas of building engineering, and linked to the evolving national competence model.

Rachel Davidson, Director of Specialist Knowledge at BESA, said: “This guide has been designed to help individuals and companies simplify the process of measuring and assessing competence in a practical and easy to understand way.

“It is the first step towards creating a much-needed competence and compliance culture and is designed to support the more in-depth work being carried out by the ICSG to produce a national competence framework for the whole industry.”

Jon Vanstone, Chair of the Industry Competence Committee, welcomed the new document: “The SKEB Toolkit is a clear and practical example of what good looks like when sector-led initiatives meet the ambitions of national policy.

“It provides an essential foundation for ensuring individual competence can be properly demonstrated and supported – both now and in the future.”

Toolkit provides detailed framework for ductwork installers

The first guide in the series focuses on industrial and commercial ductwork installation, with a structured approach for firms and workers to assess and record their capabilities.

BESA explained that the guide outlines six key areas where evidence is required: health, safety and environmental legislation; working relationships; preparation; system and component identification; installation and testing; and pre-commissioning checks.

It includes example qualifications, recommended assessments, and methods for documenting work experience and professional behaviour.

The association noted that the guide is not intended to replace national frameworks but is a means of supporting immediate needs, especially for clients demanding clear proof of contractor capability.

The guide is available for free on the BESA website and is intended to be used as a live document that evolves in line with feedback and wider industry developments.

Collaboration underpins long-term compliance goals

BESA emphasised that the guide’s development was made possible through input from multiple industry organisations, signalling a move towards more cohesive cross-sector action.

Davidson added: “There is still a lot of work to be done to help our industry develop a true competence and compliance culture.

“However, these ‘starter guides’ provide an important first step.

“Also, they have been made possible by cross-sector collaboration which will be essential to the wider and more in-depth work ahead.”

The organisation said the toolkits were created in response to industry feedback, particularly from those facing immediate questions about competence under new legislation.

According to BESA, it will continue to release future guides covering other technical disciplines, each aligned with existing and emerging frameworks.

National context rooted in Grenfell response

The UK Government introduced new building safety requirements through the Building Safety Act, in response to failings highlighted by the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry.

The Hackitt Review recommended establishing a clear, measurable way to assess individual and organisational competence across construction and engineering.

BESA explained that its toolkit is designed to offer accessible support while more comprehensive national competence frameworks continue to be developed.

The industry is currently transitioning towards compliance models that require engineers and firms to demonstrate their competence to clients, regulators, and insurers.

BESA added that its practical guides fill a gap by giving immediate tools to document and evidence competence in day-to-day operations.

BESA competence guide for ductwork installers: Summary

BESA has launched a practical guide to support UK ductwork installers in demonstrating professional competence.

The guide is the first in a planned series to support compliance with the Building Safety Act.

It was developed in partnership with Milford & Marah, ADCAS and ASFP.

The guide uses the Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB) model.

It outlines six key areas of required evidence for ductwork installers.

The guide includes examples of qualifications, tasks and behavioural expectations.

Rachel Davidson of BESA said it helps simplify competence assessment.

Jon Vanstone of the Industry Competence Committee endorsed the guide.

The guide is aligned with work by EBSSA and the Industry Competence Steering Group.

BESA said future guides will target other building engineering roles.