Early Engagement Crucial for Gateway 2 Applications
Early engagement with the Building Safety Regulator is essential for successful Gateway 2 applications, experts advise.
INFIRISK Team·2 min read·
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Early engagement with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is crucial for successful Gateway 2 applications, according to experts in the field. This guidance is particularly relevant for UK construction and safety professionals involved in high-rise residential projects, ensuring compliance with the Building Safety Act.
The Importance of Early Engagement
Samantha Mepham, a partner at Rider Levett Bucknall, emphasised the importance of engaging early with the BSR during a recent Construction Management webinar. She noted that early engagement is particularly beneficial for complex schemes or projects involving multiple buildings, as it helps avoid inconsistent rulings by the BSR.
Clarity on Roles and Responsibilities
Mepham also highlighted the need for clarity regarding the roles of principal designers and principal contractors. She pointed out that confusion often arises between the roles for building regulation and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM). It is critical to establish competent individuals for both roles early in the project.
Addressing Design Challenges
Josephine Neill, regional design lead at McLaughlin & Harvey, discussed the inherent flaws in design responsibilities between designers and contractors. She stressed the need for design deliverables to be developed to a greater degree than current standard practice, moving what is traditionally seen as RIBA Stage 5 into Stage 4.
Neill's company addresses these challenges by establishing de-risk strategies that include fully competent teams and creating a compliant and robust fire strategy. This approach ensures a coordinated and constructable mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design change.
Product Specification Tips
Lee Lambley, specification director at Knauf, provided key tips for specifying products as part of Gateway 2 from a fire safety perspective. He recommended focusing on five key areas: authenticity, age, accuracy, applicability, and availability.
The Building Safety Act, which came into force in the UK, mandates a series of 'Gateways' that construction projects must pass through to ensure compliance with safety standards. Gateway 2 is a critical stage where detailed design information is reviewed to ensure that fire safety measures are adequately integrated into the building's design. Engaging with the BSR early in this process is essential to navigate the complexities of the regulations and avoid potential rejections.
Impact on Stakeholders
The emphasis on early engagement and clarity in roles affects a wide range of stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners. Each has a role to play in ensuring that the project meets the necessary safety standards. The clarity in roles helps prevent overlaps and ensures that all parties are aware of their responsibilities, which is crucial for the smooth progression of a project through Gateway 2.
Practical Takeaways
Engage early with the BSR to avoid inconsistent rulings.
Clearly define roles and responsibilities for principal designers and contractors.
Develop design deliverables to a greater degree than current standard practice.
Focus on authenticity, age, accuracy, applicability, and availability when specifying products.
Ensure all team members are aware of their responsibilities under the Building Safety Act.
