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The Higher-Risk Buildings (Key Building Information etc.) Regulations 2023

The Higher-Risk Buildings (Key Building Information etc.) Regulations 2023

8th June 2023

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The Higher-Risk Buildings (Key Building Information etc.) Regulations 2023 were introduced in Dec 2022 to improve safety and mitigate risks in high-risk buildings.

Central to these regulations is the provision of “key building information”, e.g. data which will be required to evidence how a building meets the Fire Safety requirements. On the 17th May, the Government published further details of what information needs to be collated and provided to the Building Safety Regulator.

This data includes:

  1. Evacuation Strategies: Detailing the evacuation strategy for the building. These can include various strategies such as phased, progressive horizontal, simultaneous, stay put, or temporary simultaneous evacuation.
  2. Fire and Smoke Control Equipment: Information about fire and smoke control equipment. This includes heat or smoke detectors, sprinklers, dry or wet risers and smoke control systems,
  3. Types of Lifts: Details of the different types of lifts present in the building. This includes evacuation lifts, fire-fighters lifts, fire-fighting lifts, modernised lifts for fire service use, and firemen’s lifts.
  4. Fire Doors: Details about the certified fire resistance of fire doors e.g. 30, 60 or 120 minutes
  5. Energy Supplies, Storage, and Generation: Information about the types of energy supply (gas, electricity etc), and any on-site energy generation such as solar (including any energy storage).
  6. Building Structure: Data regarding the building structure, including its type and composition – examples include steel, concrete, large panel system, masonry or timber.
  7. Staircase Details: The number of staircases need to be reported.
  8. Roofs & External Walls: The regulations call for information about the type of roof on the building – flat, pitched, or a mix of both and if the roof has a layer of insulation on top of or below the roof. Also the types of material visible on the outside of the walls, the % of each type, what insulation is used in the outer walls, and features on the outside walls – such as canopies or balconies.
  9. Building Use: Confirmation of the primary use of the building, any secondary use, are sought. If the building had a different primary use in the past, confirmation of what it was used for. For example, an office or factory could have been converted into residential units.
  10. Building Modifications: Any modifications to the building since its original construction, such as asbestos removal, changes to the number of residential units, changes to windows, rewiring, adding or removing floors, or changes to the external walls, should be disclosed.

A complete list of the data can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/giving-bsr-structure-and-fire-safety-information-key-building-information/building-safety-regulator-giving-us-structure-and-safety-information-key-building-information

By ensuring the thorough collection and reporting of these pieces of key building information, the regulations aim to foster accountability, promote transparency, and enhance safety in the building sector.

If you want to know more or have any questions contact our team today.

T: 01732 523466

E: office@wilkinsoncc.co.uk

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Drain Testing

Drain Testing

30th May 2023

In this blog we take a look at the requirements for drain testing.

Why test

One of the commissioning and test certificates we are likely to ask you for is evidence of drain testing, and failure to provide it will hold up the issuing of the final certificate.

The requirement for drain testing is clearly set out in the Building Regulations and can be found in Approved Document H sections 1.38 and 2.59-2.62, with further guidance in BS 8000 Pt 13, BS EN 752, and BS EN 12056.

We often get asked why we insist on the test, as some builders will claim that they haven’t been asked to do one before. Not all Building Inspectors are as thorough as us and may apply a light touch to the regulations.

However, it’s in everyone’s interest to make sure that they are tested. After all the purpose of the tests are to make sure that the drains aren’t blocked or leaking. As a homeowner, I’m sure you will agree that it’s well worth getting the drains tested, as no-one wants smells, leaks or raw sewage backing up into their house, and the problems may not become apparent until the builder has long left site. For the builder it also proves that there wasn’t a problem with the drainage when they left site, providing protection against a claim for defective work.

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When to test

The tests are performed by the builder or plumber before the drains are covered up and again at completion. It’s the test at completion that’s most important, as the drains can be damaged or blocked during the course of the works. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for paint, plaster or other materials to be tipped down the toilet, and these won’t be detected from the earlier test.

Types of Test

Below Ground Drainage

For below ground drainage there are 3 main ways to test that everything is OK.

Air Test: This is a quick and efficient method to check if pipes and drain runs are working properly. A section of the drain is sealed with two gauges, and air is pumped in to increase the pressure. The pressure readings are monitored for changes, which might indicate a problem.

Water Test: This is a slower method that might take up to 2 hours to set up, but it allows testing a whole system at once. The ends of the system are sealed, and water is charged into the system. The water levels are then monitored from an access point.

CCTV test: The test involves inserting a small high-tech camera into the drains which will then capture real-time footage. From the CCTV footage, you can see if there are any cracks, displaced joints, signs of poor installation (such as joining the wrong materials) or blockages. See example here. The CCTV test can also help ensure that the new drainage has been correctly connected to the foul or surface water sewer if you are on a separate system. A CCTV test can also be performed before works commence as this will give you valuable information on the condition and location of your existing drains.

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Above Ground Drainage

For above ground drainage (also known as an SVP, Soil Stack, or Sanitary Pipework Test ) the main method is the Air test (see above). However, in larger projects we may also ask for a discharge or self-siphonage test.

Discharge test: To test for the effect of self-siphonage the appliance should be filled to overflowing level and discharged by removing the plug; WC pans should be flushed. Ranges of appliances, connected to a common discharge pipe, scan also be tested for induced siphonage in a similar way. Then the level of water remaining in the trap is measured to make sure that the traps have not “pulled” or emptied out as this will allow smells out of the drains and into your home.

More Information

To find out more about drain tests click here, and to download a form to self-certify the results of air or water tests click here.

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Mental Health and Well-Being in Construction – The Need for Change

Mental Health and Well-Being in Construction – The Need for Change

30th May 2023

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We talk about health and safety within the construction industry on a daily basis – safety risk assessments, heavy manual handling, harmful chemicals, working at heights – but what about the MENTAL health within the construction industry? This is just as important as physical health and safety, but why is it often overlooked?

In this article, we will highlight the shocking truths behind the mental state of our fellow construction workers and identify ways to help support them so that together, we can improve the mental well-being of the industry.

What we know

In May 2020, the CIOB produced a report investigating the state of mental health and well-being within the construction industry. The report found 26% of construction industry professionals thought about taking their own lives. In 2019, 97% reported being under stress at least once a year and highlighted several work factors contributing to their poor mental health.

Mates in Mind and The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) conducted a new study funded by B&CE Charitable Trust, and the findings, released in 2022, showed major concerns for the mental health of our construction workers:

A third of construction workers suffer from severe levels of anxiety every day

  • 40% would not talk to a colleague about mental health
  • 44% worry that their workload is too high
  • More than 1 in 3 are consuming more alcohol.

And so many more shocking findings. Read the full report.

However, these statistics only highlight that we NEED to do better at supporting the mental health of the construction industry, not what we can do. 

How can we support the industry?

One of the main things we can do is educate the industry on how to support colleagues and employees struggling with their mental health. Alongside this, we need to break down the barriers of communication and remove that stigma about speaking up if you are struggling with stress, anxiety and depression or any other mental health difficulties.

Luckily, there has already been some headway on education and training in the industry, and there are some excellent free resources available that we can share. 

The way forward 

Speaking about feelings and asking for help can be very difficult in a sector dominated by a macho culture and stigma. The first step towards addressing this issue is to change the industry’s culture and make it acceptable for workers to talk about their mental health issues openly. As part of this, there needs to be a commitment from management at all levels to listen and provide support to workers who are struggling.

Companies also need to actively promote the importance of mental health. This could involve campaigns, posters, talks, or articles like this one, which help to raise awareness of the issue and the support that is available. Additionally, firms should create an inclusive environment supporting people’s mental health. This means ensuring employees feel valued and that their contributions are recognised and providing opportunities for social interaction and team-building activities.

Access to professional mental health services is also essential. In large firms, this could be achieved through an employee assistance programme, which can offer counselling and other mental health services. Small businesses may not have the resources for such programmes, but they can encourage their employees to seek help from external services such as the Samaritans or Mind. Training is another crucial element. It can equip managers and workers with the skills to identify the signs of poor mental health and provide appropriate support. Mental health first aid courses are a practical way to educate people about mental health issues and dispel the myths and stigma that discourage people from seeking help.

Finally, firms need to consider the work-life balance of their employees. Excessive work hours and the resulting stress can significantly impact mental health.

There are already some fantastic initiatives by the big names in construction like Laing O’Rourke, MACE, Wilmott Dixon and Balfour Beatty.

However, over half of the 2.8 million people working in construction are SMEs, self-employed, on an agency contract or a zero-hours contract, and this makes it difficult to get to those people.

At Wilkinson CC, we believe this topic is especially important for these workers. The stress of loneliness and isolation can be particularly acute for small business owners who may not have a large team or support network to lean on. They may feel that they bear the weight of their business’s success or failure on their own, which can contribute to increased stress levels and negatively impact mental well-being.

What are Wilkinson’s doing?

Starting the conversation 

At Wilkinsons, we are a small business and want to show fellow SMEs in the construction industry that they can also provide support to their staff even though we don’t have large corporate budgets.

We have engaged with Mid Kent Mind, who also have some fantastic free resources. In particular, we like the Mental Health icebreakers. These are simple questions we can all ask, which can help open up conservations with your colleagues – why not try one of these questions today?

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Inclusive Environment 

We believe that employee recognition and appreciation can help boost morale and reduce work stress. Research suggests that 86% of employees say recognition makes them feel happier at work. 

At Wilkinson, we invested in the Perkbox platform to celebrate and recognise employees for their work achievements and thank them for being awesome with access to discounts and offers they can enjoy.

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Access to professional support 

Perkbox also helps to support mental health and well-being, with features including workout videos, meditations and sleep stories.

But it doesn’t stop there. In addition to the mental health support that Perkbox provides, we also offer all Wilkinson’s employees Benenden Health Cover which offers a 24-hour Mental Health Support Service. We have also engaged Whitcombe HR as our HR Partner, who provide us with Natalie, a Mental Health First Aider. Natalie has the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health and is confident to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support.

Work-life Balance 

Self-care is so incredibly important when it comes to looking after our own mental health. We created a series of 8 videos on our Youtube channel titled ‘Wellness at Work’, which gives tips and advice on looking after your mental health at work. These cover topics such as mindfulness, saying no to your boss, and destressing driving – head over to our youtube channel and watch now:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzmP3WVCdPneIhTRT 1Pge8UX0u8j3i8SG 

Conclusion 

It is clear that mental health is a serious construction industry issue that can no longer be overlooked. With commitment and effort from us all, it is a problem that can be addressed and hopefully overcome.

At Wilkinson CC, we believe in creating a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable talking about their mental health. Together, we can make a difference and improve the mental well-being of everyone in the industry.

Subscribe to our newsletter now to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the Construction industry.

T 01732 523 466 / E office@wilkinsoncc.co.uk

 

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this Blog, here are details of organisations that can offer advice and support

Mates in Mind – “BeAMate” text support service: To use the service, simply text “BeAMate” to 85258 and trained volunteers can help with issues including anxiety, stress, loneliness or depression and are available 24/7.

Samaritans: They provide confidential emotional support 24/7. You can call them at 116 123 or visit their website at www.samaritans.org.

Mind: Mind is a mental health charity that offers information and support. You can contact their helpline at 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm) or visit their website at www.mind.org.uk.

Lighthouse Construction Industry Helpline: This helpline is specifically dedicated to supporting workers in the construction industry. You can call them at 0345 605 1956 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm) or visit their website at www.constructionindustryhelpline.com.

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Building Control – Embracing Technology

Building Control – Embracing Technology

3rd May 2023

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It’s no secret that the construction industry has been slow with the uptake of technology.
 
Whilst we have seen some technologies gain ground in recent years, such as factory automation, BIM and LiDAR scanning, Building Control itself has remained virtually unchanged.
 
This is in part due to the Building Control Performance Standards 2017 (written pre-covid) that advised that remote inspection techniques such as the use of photographs, video or other remote media should not be relied upon as a complete alternative method of ascertaining the compliance of work on site.  However, Covid-19 certainly acted as a catalyst and transported us into a world where technology was everything. Every industry had to adapt and fast – including Building Control. Although Building Control and the construction industry as a whole heavily rely on having people on the ground, it was quickly discovered that actually a lot of what we  do can be done through the use of technology.  Virtual site visits by video as well as Zoom or Teams meetings with clients meant less time on the road, reduced admin and increased productivity.
 
In fact, PCB Today’s recent research with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) found that Covid-19 has accelerated digital transformation in the construction industry by nearly three years. From this, we  expect the Building Control Performance Standards 2017 to be updated in the future to reflect current practices better. This will allow us to look to the future at the role that technology could play in the industry.

Can technology help with labour shortages?

The skills shortage has been a hot topic of conversation in the industry for years now, yet  there doesn’t seem to be much improvement. Could technology be the answer to all our problems?
 
There are currently more than 45,000 construction vacancies* nearly double the level that they were pre-pandemic, in 2019, and no sign of the pressure easing due to BREXIT, COVID and an ever ageing workforce (*Source: www.crewitresourcing.com/).
 
It begs the question, will these vacancies end up being filled with technology such as  robots? But importantly, what do the future skills required look like?

How can technology help Building Control?

Plan Stage – The digital management of  data
 
BIM4Regs was a government initiative that aimed to incorporate Building Regulations, planning and health and safety requirements into BIM models. The intention was that building regulatory information would be embedded within BIM software so that the system will automatically check regulations against the designs. The system could instantly advise design consultants such as architects and engineers if the designs comply with the regulations.
 
However, to be effective, Regulations need to be written in binary terms – works either comply or don’t comply, there would be no scope for professional interpretation. The current view is that approximately one-third of the relevant regulations could be incorporated into BIM software easily (Source:  www.lexology.com).
 
BIM4Regs has been talked about since 2013, and we  are  very interested to see its development and how this could change the future of Building Control. Perhaps automated code checking could be used as the first step in the application process, and where areas are outside of the artificial intelligence parameters, only then would qualified inspectors be required to pass judgement.
 
In addition, this year will see one of the biggest changes in building regulations for decades with the introduction of the Golden Thread, which will be a collaborative, digitised information system. The Government is expected to publish guidance and standards for the digital requirements of The Golden Thread, including what information needs to be stored.
 
For now, we  know that it must be stored digitally, and we  need to change the way we  use technology on a daily basis.
 
Read more about the  Golden Thread  in last month’s article.
 
Site Stage – Innovative Technology
 
In recent years, we  have also started hearing of the use of innovative technology in construction, such as  robots/drones,  augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). We are  at the very early stages of some of this technology, but this could completely transform the construction industry from what we know today.
 
These technologies are  helping in project planning, quality control, site safety, reduction of errors, and so much more. This focus is worthy of its  own article due to the complexities and advances…so watch this space!
 
Having human interaction in Building Control will always be important, and we are  aware that there are  some limitations to relying on technology for Building Control inspections for example, physical drain tests cannot be done, and some remote areas might have limited network coverage. However, having some extra help from technology could help us to save a lot  of time, expenses, and carbon emissions created due to onsite visits. Some examples of how technology could aid Building Control include:
  • Drones can be used to inspect high-rise, and difficult to reach parts of commercial and residential buildings, even when the scaffold has been taken down.
  • Augmented reality glasses can help Inspectors visualise the building through immersive walk-through experiences and identify any potential compliance issues; much more detailed and accurate than drawings!
  • VR can also help improve the overall construction management of a project, which reduces the risk of compliance issues and poor building design.

The introduction of  ‘Robo Dog’?

There is no doubt that technology will have a massive impact on the future of the construction industry. We are very interested to see where these technologies will take us.
 
Maybe in 10, 20 or 50 years from now, we might be out of a job, and future building inspections will be taken over by ‘Robo Dogs’ like those produced by Boston Dynamics. This is not some post-apocalyptic science fiction plot as a prototype was unveiled in September 2021. Its integrated thermal camera and 3D LiDAR system can help detect nearby people, monitor fire hazards, and recognise open and closed doors. 
 
At the very least, our roles and the skills required will look very different, so it’s important to embrace the benefits of technology and not shy away from them!
 
We will be giving regular updates on the use of technology in the construction industry.  Subscribe to our newsletter now to stay up to date.
 
T 01732 523 466 / E office@wilkinsoncc.co.uk

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Transitional Arrangements Reminder

Transitional Arrangements Reminder

2nd May 2023

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Did you submit a building regulations application before 15 June 2022?

Changes to Parts B, F, L, O, J, S and R have taken place since that date. The Government allow applications submitted prior to June 2022 to be designed to the previous guidance subject to work starting on site before a prescribed date or the new regulations will apply.

To demonstrate commencement, you must have started one of the following where relevant:

  • Piling, strip, raft, trench or pad footings;
  • Drainage work specific to the building(s) concerned.

The Government has confirmed that the following would not constitute a commencement for the purposes of building regulations:

  • Removal, treatment or dynamic compaction of soil or vegetation;
  • Demolition;
  • Removal;
  • Excavation of trial holes;
  • General site servicing works (e.g. roadways).

Where multiple dwellings or buildings are on a single application, work on each unit must have commenced for transitional provisions under Parts F, L and O to apply – so for an application for 100 dwellings, work on all 100 units must have commenced before 15 June 2023. If only 10 of these 100 dwellings have started, only these 10 can be built to the previous standards, the remainder must meet the new standards.

So, make sure that you have a builder ready to start before the relevant commencement date, and arrange for the inspector to come out and witness the commencement. Alternatively, ask your Architect to redesign the scheme if you won’t be able to start by then (further charges may apply for rechecking your application).

Here’s a list of the relevant Approved Documents and the dates you need to be aware of:

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