The Building Safety Act 2022 has introduced significant changes and responsibilities for the construction and maintenance industries. Clare Klug, Product Marketing Manager at Trimble Luckins, looks at how to manage product information for safer buildings.
The construction industry has long-since focused on health and safety practices on-site but the Building Safety Act 2022 shifts the mandate by stretching the responsibility to serve all those occupants of the building throughout its lifespan.
A key focus of the Act is now the management of product information, which is deemed critical for ensuring safety and compliance throughout the lifecycle of a building. The Act underscores the importance of accurate documentation, traceability, and accountability across the supply chain β from manufacturers to building owners. As such, effective product information management is now essential for meeting these new regulatory standards.
Emphasis on accurate documentation and record-keeping
With additional scrutiny on safety and information, one of the fundamental requirements of the Act is the need for precise documentation and thorough record-keeping. The safety and compliance of a building depends on reliable and up-to-date information about the products used during construction and maintenance.
This is where the role of manufacturers becomes pivotal. Theyβre responsible for providing accurate, regularly updated product data and making it easily accessible to contractors, sub-contractors, engineers, and building owners. To meet these demands, many in the industry turn to established datapools that offer comprehensive, verified product information.
These platforms remove the burden from contractors by maintaining a central database of product information, which is automatically updated via API. As an example from the MEP industry, a unique TSI code assigned to each product ensures quick and easy reference to the relevant data.
By using this identifier, contractors can seamlessly integrate product information into their internal systems and project documentation, ensuring compliance with the Building Safety Act.
Longevity and digital record-keeping
The Act introduces the concept of a βGolden Threadβ of information, which refers to a continuous digital record of all data related to a buildingβs design, construction, and ongoing maintenance. This is especially important for high-rise buildings, where safety is a top priority.
The Golden Thread ensures that every product installed in the construction process is recorded, and that the information is kept up-to-date and easily accessible throughout the buildingβs lifecycle.
The Act goes one step further and suggests that documentation be kept for a minimum of 15 years. This certainly requires changes in working practices, with many UK contractors using industry established datapools to reference as part of their digital evidence. This enables them to leverage resources from data experts that specialise in liaising with manufacturers and wholesalers to ensure the information is accurate.
Product traceability
Traceability is essential for ensuring that the products specified for a building are the same ones installed on-site. Often, what is specified by the contractor can be replaced with other products due to availability or convenience. However, this can pose risks to the buildingβs safety and compliance.
Under the Act, maintaining the thread of information from specification through installation and into maintenance is crucial. Accurate product information allows for quick response times and safe replacements when components need to be changed during a buildingβs lifespan.
Whether itβs 10 or 20 years later, having a complete record ensures that like-for-like replacements are made, preserving the safety and integrity of the structure. A verified product database ensures that all manufacturers, contractors, and building owners have access to the most current and accurate data at any time.
Digital twin technology
Upon the completion of a construction project, it is now standard practice for contractors to provide a digital twin or as-built model of the building. These digital representations contain detailed information about the buildingβs systems, including the materials and products installed.
This approach makes it easier for building owners and maintenance teams to access the information they need for future repairs or upgrades. By integrating product information into these models, stakeholders can quickly reference the exact specifications of the materials used.
If an issue arises with the MEP system years later, the digital twin can be consulted to identify the products involved and retrieve installation guides or safety documentation. This streamlined process saves time and ensures that any future work on the building meets the same high standards as the original construction.
Enhancing safety
Safety is at the core of the Act, and managing product information effectively is key to ensuring it. Installation guides, maintenance manuals, and safety certifications must be readily accessible to everyone involved in the buildingβs lifecycle. Housing this information in a central, verified database makes it easy for contractors, engineers, and building owners to retrieve the necessary documentation when needed.
Having accurate, accessible information instils confidence that the products being used meet regulatory standards and are safe for long-term use. This not only helps ensure compliance with the Act but also provides peace of mind that the materials specified and installed will perform as intended without unforeseen safety issues arising down the line.
Responsibilities across the supply chain
The Building Safety Act imposes new duties on every participant in the supply chain, from manufacturers and suppliers to building owners. Each party must collaborate to ensure the safety and compliance of the products used:
β Manufacturers must supply fully attributed product information and prove compliance with regulations. They are responsible for ensuring that the information is provided in a format that can be integrated into various systems used across the supply chain.
β Wholesalers are required to ensure that the products specified by contractors are supplied without substitutions based on stock availability or pricing preferences.
β Contractors are now held accountable for assembling accurate documentation throughout the buildingβs lifecycle, ensuring that all records are robust and accessible.
β Building owners must have access to this information for ongoing maintenance and regulatory compliance, ensuring that the building remains safe for occupants.
Conclusion
The Building Safety Act 2022 sets new standards for product information management, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, traceability, accessibility, and safety. By leveraging a robust database which provides stakeholders with what they need to uphold their responsibilities, the industry can meet these regulatory demands, ensuring safer buildings and better outcomes for everyone involved.
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