STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 45 Specify, install, demonstrate
Simon Buckmaster at James Hardie discusses how the Building Safety Act has reshaped facade installation, from fi re classifi cation and product selection to competence, documentation and the need to rigorously specify, install and evidence work done.
T
he Building Safety Act has changed more than the regulatory landscape. It has changed the culture of
construction and for facade contractors that shift is now very visible on the ground. Product choice, documentation, installation practice and competence evidence are all under greater scrutiny than they were even two years ago. For those working on external walls, this is not a distant compliance conversation happening between clients and principal contractors. It is arriving in tender requirements, pre-construction meetings and practical completion checklists.
From classifi cation to comprehension
One of the most tangible changes for the supply chain is the move away from older national fi re testing classifi cations towards the European system, BS EN 13501. Ratings such as A1 and A2-s1,d0 are now becoming standard reference points across facade specifi cation; for anyone selecting or installing external wall materials, understanding what sits behind those letters and numbers matters.
A2 denotes limited combustibility. S1 indicates very low smoke production. D0 means no fl aming droplets or particles. Many clients and homeowners now recognise the term ‘fi re rated’ but may not fully understand what it means in practice. For trades working onsite, being able to explain this clearly to architects, contractors and clients alike is increasingly a standard feature of the job.
What the HRB threshold means The ban on combustible materials in and on the external walls of buildings over 18 metres has already reshaped specifi cation habits across the sector. But the implications extend beyond the cladding board itself. Insulation, membranes, cavity barriers, fi xings and subframes all form part of
ADF SEPTEMBER 2026
Image courtesy of James Hardie
the external wall system. A material that performs well aesthetically, matches a specifi cation visually, or is more readily available may not carry the right fi re classifi cation or be suitable within the required wall build-up. Getting this wrong, or assuming that one compliant product makes the whole facade compliant, is one of the more common risks on site. The Higher-Risk Buildings regime has reinforced this. For buildings of at least 18 metres (or seven storeys) containing two or more residential units, as well as hospitals and care homes, building control approval must now be secured before work begins. Applications must demonstrate both regulatory compliance and management competence. Facade contractors and subcontractors are consequently more likely than ever to be asked for product
Many clients and homeowners now recognise the term ‘fi re rated,’ but may not fully understand what it means in practice
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