Simon Garbett, Category Manager for Roof Systems at Wienerberger UK explains how roofing manufacturers are adapting to the Building Safety Act and what this means for housebuilders and architects.
As the UK construction industry adapts to changes brought by the Building Safety Act, roofing manufacturers are at the forefront of supporting housebuilders during this crucial transition. Introduced in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Act aims to enhance safety standards throughout the building lifecycle – from design and construction to occupation and maintenance.
For roofing product manufacturers, the legislation brings new responsibilities and opportunities to collaborate with housebuilders, ensuring safer, higherquality homes. Simon Garbett, Category Manager for Roof Systems at Wienerberger UK explains how manufacturers are supporting safer practices and facilitating more effective roofing projects.
The “Golden Thread” of information
A key principle of the Building Safety Act is the “Golden Thread” of information – a comprehensive digital record that follows a building throughout its lifetime. This requires all relevant data, from product specifications to installation details, to be meticulously documented and easily accessible for anyone who needs it now and in the future.
For roofing manufacturers, this means ensuring that every component – tiles, underlays, insulation – has detailed specifications, installation guidelines, and performance metrics are always readily available. This not only supports compliance with regulations but also helps housebuilders make informed decisions about product selection and maintenance.
The Golden Thread is only as strong as the accuracy and currency of the information it contains. Housebuilders need confidence that the data they’re using is reliable and up to date. It’s particularly important for product substitution. Documenting and communicating every change, including the reasons and confirmation of compliance, is critical for maintaining safety standards. Customers must trust that manufacturers are transparent in this process.
At Wienerberger, our robust internal processes allow us to reliably capture this information and make it easily accessible to housebuilders. Beyond documentation, the Golden Thread requires collaboration among all project stakeholders. From designers and contractors to building owners, everyone must work together to ensure compliance and that information is accurately recorded.
Technology also plays a vital role in maintaining the Golden Thread. We’re leveraging digital platforms and Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems to enable real-time updates and easy access to critical data.
Driving innovation and transparency
The Act’s focus on continuous improvement and rigorous testing is driving us to innovate and enhance safety features. There’s a real opportunity for manufacturers to stand out by showing a proactive commitment to safety and transparency.
At Wienerberger, we’ve increased our research and development efforts to ensure our roofing solutions not only comply with new regulations but also set industry benchmarks. With innovation in mind, we view buildings as dynamic systems rather than just separate products. Understanding how our roofing solutions fit with the entire building is vital for providing housebuilders with effective solutions for safer, more resilient homes. Manufacturers are being held to higher standards, with roofing products undergoing thorough testing and documentation for compliance. At Wienerberger, we’re striving to go above and beyond industry-standard testing and reporting, effectively demonstrating the quality and performance of our products.
Upskilling the industry
A key focus of the Building Safety Act is upskilling the construction workforce to improve competency standards. This means ensuring that everyone, from designers to installers, understands product terminology, technical details, and performance requirements.
As manufacturers, we must help our customers navigate these new compliance demands. Product data needs to be clear and aligned with industry guidelines, allowing housebuilders to make informed decisions and use our solutions safely.
We’re investing in training initiatives to equip the industry with the knowledge needed to safely implement modern technologies, like in-roof solar systems. We aim to make solar accessible to the roofing workforce with easy-to-install products. Through our training, we want contractors to be confident in delivering work that meets the latest safety protocols and best practices, contributing to safer building outcomes.
A collaborative approach to safer buildings Central to Wienerberger’s approach to the Building Safety Act is our emphasis on fostering strong collaborative relationships with housebuilders. We’ve moved beyond the traditional role of a mere product supplier, positioning ourselves as a trusted technical ally. Our commitment lies in working hand-in-hand with our clients, leveraging our expertise to ensure the delivery of buildings that meet the highest safety standards.
This collaborative approach takes many forms, from providing detailed product information and installation guidance to offering hands-on support with compliance and documentation. We aim to be involved in projects from the start, helping housebuilders choose the right roofing solutions and ensuring they have the information needed for effective use.
Our technical sales team offers comprehensive support related to roof tiles, systems, and accessories. This includes roofing advice, product performance consultations, take-off services for product quantity from architectural drawings, specification writing, bespoke project design, and problem-solving assistance.
A culture of accountability
As the construction industry adapts to the significant changes introduced by the Building Safety Act, roofing manufacturers like Wienerberger are rising to the occasion.
By embracing the principle of the “Golden Thread”, driving innovation, upskilling the workforce and cultivating stronger partnerships with housebuilders, we’re playing a vital role in fostering a safer, more resilient built environment for the future.
The Building Safety Act represents a significant shift in our industry, but it’s one that Wienerberger is fully committed to. By working together – manufacturers, housebuilders, and all stakeholders in the construction process – we can create a safer, more transparent, and more accountable building industry for everyone.
