Partnerships are helping to meet new legislation
Early collaboration between supply chain partners is helping to meet the
demands of rigorous new legislation, says leading cable supplier AEI Cables.
The cables leader is seeing positive feedback to
its guidance for closer working to meet the requirements of the Building Safety
Act 2022. The Act makes new stringent requirements for higher-risk buildings
which are those deemed to be of at
least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys containing at least two
residential units.
Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “We believe in early
collaboration on our own projects and the feedback we are receiving suggests that
close working between all parties in the supply chain is helping to meet the
requirements of this new legislation.”
The Building Safety Act 2022 identifies a common
Golden Thread which requires a comprehensive record to be kept of all
safety-related information throughout the lifecycle of a building, emphasising
the need for clear communication between all parties.
Under the Act, the Building Safety Regulator will
oversee the safety and performance of all buildings, as well as having a
special focus on high-rise buildings. It will promote competence and
organisational capability within the sector including building control
professionals and tradespeople.
AEI Cables has also been
highlighting the importance of collaboration to help meet the demand for
Category 3 Control fire performance cables which are identified under the
revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice. These cables reduce
harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.
The systems powered by
these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire
services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety.
The guidance for Category
3 Control fire performance cables applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled
in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems
in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals,
shopping malls and stadia.
AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by
LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control.
The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three
for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of
30, 60 or 120 minutes.
All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC
and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD,
Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world.