The deadline for the consultation on the review of the ban on combustible materials in external walls has been extended to 25 May 2020 in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Build UK will be submitting a response to the consultation and please send any comments to joecilia@thefis.org no later than Monday 18 May.
The Government has published its response to the Building a Safer Future consultation, setting out how it intends to establish the new Building Safety Regulator.
The new regime will initially apply to all multi‐occupied buildings of 18 metres or more in height but may be expanded based on the outcome of the consultation on the review of the ban on combustible materials in external walls. The Government will also establish a national Construction Products Regulator responsible for market oversight, enforcement action, and providing technical advice to the industry to aid compliance with the new regime.
FIS has teamed up with Barbour ABI to bring members deeper analysis and intelligence on the construction market. This next level of analysis will help members to forecast trends and assist in your business planning.
In this issue…
Government is looking at what current legislation is available to them to ensure that products are correctly installed and appropriately used.
This will undoubtedly call in current relationships between suppliers and installers and reflects Dame Judith Hackitt’s call for a Golden thread of information, more collaboration and greater emphasis on Competency.
This technical note taken from a recent longer read in SpecFinish provides an example where an installer was prosecuted.
Magnesium Oxide building boards (MgO)
NHBC has recently updated its website regarding the use of MgO boards in essence they will not accept MgO building boards on buildings where the foundations are begun on or after 30 April 2020 under its insurance warranty.
Currently Premier guarantee have not made such conditions, their advice can be found here.
Our advice is that you should check with the Principle designer before suggesting or using MgO boards on projects.
The udpated guidance is available to members here.
The Cross-industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force (CCAFT) is looking for employers and representatives from industry as well as college and training provider staff to review elements of the draft technical qualifications (we will give you key points to consider) and then answer some questions (probably a survey) relating to key themes CCAFT require feedback on. Support is needed to scope one or more of the following areas:
Construction On-site
This is an opportunity for you and/or your staff to be involved to really make a difference to the qualifications that will be delivered in 2021 as an entry route to industry. Please feel free to forward to colleagues or employer associates who may be willing to get involved.
If you are interested in supporting us please contact qualdevelopment@cityandguilds.com In your email can you please highlight the pathway above you can help with, also whether you are an employer, an industry representative or college, training provider staff to ensure we can try our best to obtain a broad range of individuals who can support development.
