Spec Finish

Feature As the Grenfell Inquiry continues to unearth inadequate testing and certification of building products, the formation of the new National Construction Products Regulator (NCPR) is a welcome step forward for the sector, says Mick Hill, Lead Technical Manager at Profab Access. A NEWERA OF TESTING AND CERTIFICATION 28 www.thefis.org F OLLOWING the draft Building Safety Bill and the new Building Safety Regulator, the establishment of the NCPR is the latest stage in the Government’s strategy to ensure that structures are built with safe, suitable building materials. Phase one of the Inquiry highlighted the inefficacy of the current testing regime and its enforcement. It identified associated complicationswith howkey building information is obtained or interpreted by relevant individuals throughout the construction and maintenance stages of a development. It also exposed ambiguities with current guidelines and regulations, not only in the testing of building materials that are being specified, installed and maintained, but also the roles and responsibilities of each individual involved at these pivotal points to ensure continued compliance. For example, in relation to fire integrity riser doors, there are current disparities between the guidelines in BS EN 1634 Standard and Annex B of Approved Document B2. As a result, somemanufacturers may currently only conduct their own product assessments, while others undertake rigorous product testing and certification. In response to this, phase two of the Grenfell Inquiry will address whether existing guidance on compliance with Building Regulations is sufficiently clear and reliable. The new NCPR will also be responsible for identifying the corresponding weaknesses of the current product testing regime in relation to legal requirements. While NCPR will be able to conduct its own tests of building materials, it is also the responsibility of manufacturers of fire integrity products to ensure those products are compliant and suitable for the proposed application. This responsibility is shared by the customer, who has a legal obligation to undertake and evidence comprehensive due diligence by ensuring they request demonstration of compliance and subsequent testing reports, not just product assessments, for each building component specified on their project. Therefore, no assumptions could be made regarding the suitability and performance of the materials installed, ensuring the long-term suitability and safety of the building for its lifecycle. How to achieve this When a fire integrity building product is specified, manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure they supply all the necessary information relating to it, including fire testing and certification to prove compliance with all relevant regulations. The professionals accountable for specifying and installing this product also have a responsibility to ensure all potential risks have been successfully mitigated against by demonstrating that certified products, which are supported with comprehensive evidence, have been chosen. By undertaking product testing and certification by an accredited third-party, manufacturers can prove they have fulfilled their duty of care in terms of best practice. This can be done by providing evidence that the solution is fit for purpose and goes above and beyond current requirements to offer the highest standards in quality, performance and safety. The certification of a product by an accredited third-party, supported by comprehensive test documentation proving its suitability and performance throughout every stage of the manufacturing process, also reassures everyone involved throughout the building’s construction and maintenance stages that it will not fail in the event of a fire. As third-party testers are involved throughout the entire construction process, they ensure manufacturers implement appropriate measures that maintain manufacturing consistency and that the product tested is a true representative of production. This provides reassurance that each component specified is of the highest quality, offering unrivalled performance. To ensure their duty of care is continuously fulfilled, manufacturers should undertake regular third-party testing across their entire product range to help achieve and ensure a consistent standard of safety and suitability. As the NCPR will set a new standard for testing and compliance, manufacturers should use this opportunity to set the benchmark for their own testing practices, by working with clients to ensure due diligence is fulfilled through the request and supply of comprehensive testing and certification evidence. www.profabaccess.com Manufacturers should undertake regular third-party testing across their entire product range to help achieve and ensure a consistent standard of safety and suitability Mick Hill Mick Hill, Lead Technical Manager at Profab Access. www.profabaccess.com