The Building Safety Act 2022 came into full force on 1st October 2023, establishing a new Building Safety Regulator overseeing fire safety and standards. With the BSR now responsible for regulatory decisions on buildings over seven stories, including in design, construction, occupation and refurbishment, fenestration professionals are under increasing pressure to improve key competencies.
It is with this in mind that REHAU has launched its latest CPD, Fenestration in Medium and High-Rise Buildings. The latest training offering from the polymer frame manufacturer explores how these structures are defined, the applicability of legislation and regulations to window installation, and the role of the BSR in these projects.
“The full introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 is a transformational event for all building professionals involved in high-rise construction,” explains Martin Hitchin, CEO at REHAU UK. “The fact that over 13,000 buildings were registered with the BSR within two days of the act coming into full effect is testament to this, and emblematic of the push for higher standards in all aspects of building construction.
“This push for enhancing competencies in line with new regulations was a key reason behind the development of our latest CPD looking at high-rise structures, as well their medium-rise counterparts. Knowledge of these reforms alongside other relevant documents such as Planning Gateway 1, and how they affect frame specification is therefore vital for building professionals working on these structures. Consequently, we hope this new resource can help address any knowledge gaps around fenestration.”
The launch of REHAU’s latest CPD comes ahead of an anticipated boom in UK building work, with construction analysts Glenigan identifying strong project pipelines across the UK, and high growth for London in particular. With the market looking more positive for 2024, Martin is emphasising how further education in areas such as component specification and performance could give building control professionals a competitive edge.
“Windows are clearly crucial to many buildings, so greater awareness of relevant fenestration standards and solutions is undoubtedly a good thing for project specifiers and stakeholders,” he concludes. “Factors including weathertightness and fire safety and how they affect in-service frame performance will undoubtedly impact product choice, which in turn can majorly impact building design.
“Similarly, considerations such as internal cleaning and maintenance grow in importance as buildings get taller and need to be accounted for when selecting fenestration solutions such as curtain walling. We have looked to cover these considerations in detail in our latest CPD and hope it will prove useful for those looking to navigate the regulatory and practical complexities of these particular projects.”
To find out more about REHAU’s latest CPD, Retrofit Window & Door Solutions for Social Housing, click here.