Reform efforts underway in UK construction

The Building Safety Act is spearheading broad reform efforts within the construction and building engineering sectors in the UK, as reported by BESA.

Introduced in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Act is described by industry professionals as a tool for implementing a series of regulatory changes that aim to reshape the industry’s culture fundamentally.

Nick Mead, technical director at Laing O’Rourke and chair of the BESA Building Safety Act Advisory Group, emphasized the wide-ranging impact of these changes during BESA’s ‘Behind the Built Environment’ podcast.

He noted the numerous revisions to Building Regulations that now affect every building, not just the high-risk ones targeted by the Act.

Mead highlighted ongoing legislative changes, including procurement bills, new fire regulations, and the Architects’ Bill.

Industry urged to embrace cultural change

Mead noted that some individuals still believe the changes do not apply to them despite the ongoing legislative updates.

He stated: “All these things are coming through on the back of the Act… it’s every building we build, every structure.” He also stressed the importance of the industry driving change, as recommended by the Hackitt Review, highlighting that government bodies are not equipped to implement these changes alone.

Mead added: “They’re the people with the skill set. The civil servants and the government [are] not contractors, and builders, and building services engineers.

“They write a standard [and that’s] guidance, which points you in a direction.”

He encouraged the industry to embrace the cultural shift, suggesting it would lead to significant improvements and restore pride in their work.

Launch of BESA’s new ‘Play it Safe’ awareness guide

BESA recently introduced its ‘Play it Safe’ awareness guide to address knowledge gaps within the industry regarding the Building Safety Act.

The interactive guide employs football terminology to illustrate the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, making it easier for everyone from apprentice pipefitters to design engineers to understand their part in ensuring building safety.

Mead highlighted the guide’s importance in extending understanding of the legislative framework, particularly for smaller contractors further down the supply chain.

He acknowledged that while larger contractors are adapting, many others face challenges.

He also expressed hope that the Building Safety Regulator would consider the capacity limitations of smaller firms while enforcing compliance.

Challenges and integration in the building services sector

Discussing the broader implications of the Building Safety Act, Mead mentioned that clients and consultants are beginning to understand the Act’s requirements, though architects still face a steep learning curve.

He believes the changes will ultimately enhance quality but might initially be challenging for clients who must adapt to stricter project management practices.

Mead stressed the need for greater integration within the building services sector, advocating for a systems engineering approach.

“There’s got to be far more integration. In the building services world, we build systems.

“A pipe doesn’t work on its own without it going into a heating system.

“We must think of buildings as systems now, and system engineering is the way our industry [will] survive and develop,” he said.

He urged professionals to take responsibility for their actions, emphasizing the consequences of decisions made on-site.

Mead also noted the increasing likelihood of regulatory bodies imposing temporary holds on projects to ensure compliance before resorting to more severe actions.

UK construction sector sees broad reforms due to Building Safety Act: Summary

The Building Safety Act, introduced after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, is driving widespread reforms in the UK construction and building engineering sectors.

Nick Mead from Laing O’Rourke highlighted numerous changes, including procurement bills and new fire regulations, affecting all buildings.

BESA’s ‘Play it Safe’ guide aims to help the industry understand their roles under the Act.

Mead stressed the need for industry-driven change and greater integration within building services, while regulatory bodies may impose project holds to ensure compliance.