ASBP was invited to meet with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) on 22nd November to provide further comment on the recent consultation on Approved Document B (ADB). Our Executive Director, Simon Corbey, joined David Hopkins of Timber Development UK (TDUK), Andrew Orriss of the Structural Timber Association (STA), and David Metcalfe, Director of the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT).
BSR and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) confirmed that they are holding 15-20 meetings with different parts of the sector over the coming weeks as part of the proposed review. The consultation received 496 responses, and an overview of the feedback is expected to be published next year.
A key part of the discussion focused on the impact of the consultation itself on industry activity. BSR officials appeared genuinely concerned to hear that the consultation had contributed to a slowdown in projects. We highlighted the potential implications for mass timber and committed to gathering further feedback from ASBP members on how the sector has been affected.
We also raised the implications for schools. While most Department for Education (DfE) buildings are under 11m in height, a significant number are not. We asked how any new requirements would apply to these buildings. BSR said it would approach DfE directly to help ensure that any changes are aligned with BB100, the guidance on fire safety design for schools. This discussion also touched on biogenic carbon and the case for regenerative schools.
BSR invited further comment on Class B membranes, and we have approached our Patron member Ecological Building Systems for input. We also raised ‘Optoppen’, the practice of adding new storeys to existing buildings, and put BSR in touch with Kelly Harrison at Whitby Wood, who kindly provided further comment.
ASBP is now gathering feedback from across the industry, particularly on the impact of the consultation on mass timber projects. If your organisation has experienced delays, paused projects or other impacts, we would welcome your input.
Please email Simon at simon@asbp.org.uk.