Since the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, the government has been committed to revising and improving building safety regulations to ensure that buildings are made safer for residents.
The Building Safety Act, a landmark piece of legislation, was passed in 2022, calling for more accountability and competency in the industry. Among the many provisions within the Building Safety Act was the introduction of three ‘gateways’ focusing on planning, building control, and completion, to increase accountability and transparency in the industry.
In this blog, we explore some of the key takeaways from the ‘Navigating Gateway 2 Submissions – Experiences, Challenges, and Insights’ panel discussion at London Build 2024, in which panellists discussed the various challenges, positives, and learnings from their experience of Gateway 2 so far.
Gateway 2: Building Control Approval for Higher-Risk Buildings
At first glance, Gateway 2 shares some similarities with the old building control process. Both systems require applicants to submit an application for approval, satisfy pre-start conditions, and notify the regulator of their intended start date. However, implementing the Gateway 2 steps introduces substantial differences in practice:
- Change of Regulatory Authority: One of the primary distinctions is the shift in the regulatory authority. Under the new process, the building control application for higher-risk buildings is made to the Building Safety Regulator. It is crucial that dialogue with the regulator is ongoing throughout the construction phase as developers cannot proceed with construction until the BSR has approved the application.
- Detailed Information Requirements: Perhaps the most significant change in Gateway 2 is the increased level of detail required in the application. In addition to basic drawings, applicants must now include all necessary information demonstrating compliance with applicable building regulations.
Learn more about Gateways 1 and 3 here.
What Are the Key Takeaways from Construction Industry Professionals’ Gateway 2 Experiences?
Positives
- Technical and/or detailed design comes much earlier in the process, which helps to de-risk projects as there is more information at hand.
- It is important to be able to demonstrate competency in construction and the SKEB model (Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours) is an effective way of doing this.
- Record-keeping in the form of the golden thread will ensure more transparency and accountability.
- Residents’ safety is being prioritised and kept at the heart of construction.
- Early collaboration will improve stakeholder communication and relationships.
- This gateway allows stakeholders to think ahead of time, which will help them manage the last stage – Gateway 3 – better.
Challenges
- The industry is experiencing a transition period and has lots to learn. Therefore, stakeholders will take time to adapt to the new regulations.
- High standardisation could cause innovation to be overlooked, resulting in less originality among designs and buildings.
- The changes in the roles of principal designer and contractor can cause confusion and misunderstanding of expectations. Therefore, stakeholders must research and keep up with new information.
What Lessons Can We Learn from Gateway 2?
- Transitioning into new processes takes time and cannot be rushed.
- Companies and individuals must be clear on their decision-making processes, to avoid making mistakes and/or incurring penalties.
- There must be a consistent flow of information to stakeholders so that they are aware of what is being produced at the back-end, to ensure accountability and clarity.
- Additional time and resources may be required across teams in a project.
- High-quality applications can reduce the time spent on Gateway 2, saving on overall project time and reworking.
- Selecting the right manufacturers and suppliers is necessary to ensure compliant, high-quality products and expert assistance from the early stages of a project.
How Does MyDek Assist Clients on Projects?
As a company, we are committed to building a safer future for the apartment community. Our non-combustible deck systems are thoroughly and rigorously tested against demanding industry standards, ensuring compliance that goes above and beyond. MyDek’s team provides support and advice throughout a project. From the design stage, through legislation, site visits, and training site teams, to regular site and product checks, and detailed technical documentation, MyDek supports clients at every stage.
If you wish to discuss your next decking project, start a conversation with us here.