Building Regulation

Following extensive review, the Government has responded to a 2020 consultation reviewing the ban on the use of combustible materials in the external wall systems of buildings.

There will be several major changes to the Building Regulations and Approved Document B as a result and these will significantly impact how many within the construction industry operate.

The Grenfell review from Dame Judith Hackitt concluded that the current legislation regarding fire safety equipment in the UK is not fit for purpose and that it needs to improve. Learning the best that we can from other countries (such as those in the European Union) while avoiding their shortcomings would be a good start.  
But while well-considered fire safety regulation is essential, it is equally important for all those involved in the design and construction of buildings and construction products to have an understanding of what fire can do to a building and how damage and danger can be minimised.

As concerns about inadequate roof fire barrier installation grow, Marley’s Roof Defence can help housing association specifiers deliver guaranteed protection against the spread of hidden roof fires.

Building Regulations require that new homes are built with fire protection measures to delay the spread of fire and allow crucial time to escape. So, when a roof is compartmentalised between adjoining homes, fire barriers are seen as an integral safety feature, to prevent the spread of flames and smoke in case of a fire.

When it comes to masonry wall constructions, cavity trays play an essential role alongside key elements such as cavity barriers and fire stops. They are designed to keep moisture at bay, ensuring that any rain that penetrates the cavity does not reach the inner leaf, thereby reducing the risk of internal damp which can cause serious problems for buildings and occupants alike. But for cavity trays to be effective, it is important to understand how they work, what the installation requirements are, and also when other considerations need to be taken into account when integrating them with products such as cavity barriers and fire stops.

We are pleased to announce that we have been working with fire door manufacturers in order to gain Primary Test Certification on a range of Fireco products.

Fire safety has been at the forefront of discussion in social housing circles, with much of the focus being on the compartmentation of a building.

Significant changes to Building Regulations are likely to take place in 2018 to raise domestic boiler installation efficiency. How can you stay ahead of the curve? Chris Yates, Managing Director at
Johnson & Starley discusses....

In December 2016, the government ran  a consultation entitled Heat in Buildings – the Future of Heat. The purpose of the consultation was to ask views on options the government proposed for raising domestic boiler installation efficiency. The aim was to bring in measures that  reduced energy bills for tenants, giving more choice of ways to heat homes but also support the government’s targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through to 2050.   Gas boilers play a huge part in our heating industry accounting for around 1.5 million being installed every year.  The UK is by far the largest boiler market in Europe and the proposals do show that the government does recognise how big an impact these appliances make.