Arran Wright (pictured), our workshop and training manager, looks at a new building code.
A new building Code is shortly to come into effect.
The reason is that some public buildings, particularly social housing buildings, were constructed using systems that were unfit for purpose.
In comparison, as a company offering complete and guaranteed glazing systems, our systems are fully tested. We’re proud of that.
Not just in Europe, but in Asia and America.
Regulator
It’s why we have been surprised by companies which have not followed the strictest of testing regimes. Or allowed their systems to be used in ways where testing did not apply.
We therefore welcome a new government initiative to establish a new regulator. This will monitor the safety of different construction products.
The regulator for construction products will have the power to remove any product from the market that presents a significant safety risk.
The new regulator will sit within the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
The government says that: “We are establishing a national regulator to address…concerns and a review into testing to ensure our national approach is fit for purpose.”
The regulator will work with the new building safety regulator and trading standards to encourage and enforce compliance.
Oversight
In another announcement, the government has also commissioned an independent review to examine weaknesses in previous testing regimes for construction products. It will also highlight how abuse of the testing system can be prevented.
The review will be led by a panel of experts with regulatory, technical and construction industry experience. It’s due to report later this year with recommendations.
The trouble of course is that some companies have been prepared to bend the rules, and there is often inadequate regulatory oversight.
Hopefully, the government’s announcement is yet another step towards designing and constructing buildings that are truly safe.
As a company we welcome anything that brings safety standards up to the level that we’ve been operating to for years.
