Use only approved cables to meet the new Building Safety Act, says AEI
AEI Cables has sent a
message to those making decisions about fire safety cabling under the new
Building Safety Act 2022 which becomes enforceable from October.
From October 2023, buildings of at least 18 metres in height or with at
least seven storeys containing at least two residential units will be deemed
‘high risk buildings’ and must be registered with the newly established
Building Safety Regulator.
The registration must be made by the organisation or person who owns or
has responsibility for the building referred to as the Principal Accountable
Person. Principal Accountable Persons
could include housing associations, property management companies or individual
managers or asset owners.
A Principal Accountable Person who fails to register an occupied
higher-risk building without a ‘reasonable excuse’ will be liable to either a
fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
Stuart Dover, general manager
of AEI Cables, said: “Those who are deemed to be the Principal Accountable
Person should recognize their responsibilities. There can be no compromise when
it comes to the selection of cables for fire safety and they should always meet
the legal requirement. If in doubt, they should always check the relevant level
of performance required.
“Ultimately, we are
talking about the threat to lives and property if the products installed in
these tall buildings are not fit for purpose.”
The Accountable Person must have assessed all building safety risks and
taken all reasonable steps to control them, give the safety case report to the
Regulator on request and apply for a building assessment certificate.
AEI Cables has also been communicating
the dangers of not following the technical guidance for the selection and
installation of cables for Category 3 Control fire performance cables under the
revised British Standard BS8519: 2020.
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. Category
3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame
spread in the event of a real fire.
The applications of
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 is the only
supplier in the UK with independent approval from LPCB for BS8519 Category 3
Control fire performance cables with a fire survival time of up to 120 minutes.
Using the very latest in
technology and science, the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range offers Mineral
Insulated Cabling (MIC), Firetec Enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories
and technical support from the AEI Cables distribution facility at Washington,
Tyne and Wear.
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. For more information
see the AEI Cables website, tel 0191 410 3111 or
email sales@aeicables.co.uk.