Nigel Morrey, technical director at Etex Building Performance, discusses how the construction sector can tackle risk with training, real-life tested products and strong information management
The past two years have been tumultuous for the construction industry with Covid-19, Brexit and the many resulting challenges all having the capacity to increase potential risks, in an industry that was already one of the riskiest on the globe.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, construction output fell 1.8% in volume terms in October 2021, which is the largest monthly decline since April 2020 when output fell by 41.7%; new work fell (2.8%) from September to October 2021 while repair and maintenance remained unchanged (0.0%). It is clear that supply and labour shortages, coupled with inflation and the ongoing effects of the pandemic, are increasing concerns around risk and affecting construction’s ability to pursue further growth.
To paint a clearer picture of how these issues are impacting industry professionals, we surveyed 250 senior construction industry decision-makers for their views on risk. This research found that a lack of quality control, unclear government guidelines and a shortage of high-quality materials ranked top of the list of concerns. Liability issues when specifying materials was also of great concern, with a total of 73% of respondents citing this as an issue and contractors stating that this was their biggest worry (84%).
Due to these ongoing challenges, today’s clients are seeking supply chain partners who can appropriately manage risk, provide solutions to help mitigate inflation and challenges caused by the skills shortage, and also minimise the impact on budgets and schedules. This may sound like a tall order but there are a multitude of solutions that can – and should – be adopted to mitigate risk across the sector which will ensure continued positive growth in the long term.
Real-life tested products
The performance of building materials is under scrutiny now more than ever and when asked, 30% of our research respondents said that product durability was a main concern when specifying materials. Evidently, manufacturers must embrace their responsibility to ensure that products are both fully tested and compliant with Building Regulations, while also hitting new performance goals.
One way to do this is to test products in real-world environments as part of a system to observe how they interact with other materials and remove the risk of incorrect testing, or poor performance, at junctions. Before any materials arrive on site, manufacturers must ensure that their products perform when put through their paces against freezing temperatures, intense humidity and, crucially, fire.
At Etex’s testing facilities in Tisselt, Belgium, Avignon, France, and Heywood, UK, the fire test furnaces are used to carry out 200-250 fire tests a year on both vertical and horizontal systems representing walls, floors and ceilings. We also test complete systems: Siniat plasterboards with holes drilled through them for pipes, which are then fitted with Promat passive fire protection to create an entire system – with insulation behind it in some cases – that would be fitted on a building in real life.
Ultimately, to mitigate risk, manufacturers must ensure that they put the time and effort into making fit-for-purpose materials for construction projects and carefully consider their real-world performance. Of course, this takes a lot of investment but these are the processes that must be adopted sector-wide if we are serious about tackling risk.
Upskilling our workforce
Although fit-for-purpose materials are imperative, the sector also needs to place more focus on training and ensuring adequate competencies for those who are going to be installing the products. Training is not a box-ticking exercise; it should be seen as a continual process. The sector is constantly evolving with new product innovations, working practices changing, and legislation and building standards being updated or introduced, so continuous training is essential if we want to provide consistent, high-quality work.
Manufacturer training is invaluable as it gives installers an in-depth understanding of how products work, correct installation methods and the correct handling of tools. So, it is essential that the industry offers adequate and accessible training programmes for those who will be installing the materials. By doing this, we will not only create a better-skilled workforce but also build strong partnerships across the supply chain, which will enable us to procure and install materials more quickly.
Onsite training is also crucial. For example, our site technicians hold “Toolbox talks” onsite before installation commences, which enables us to answer any user questions and offer valuable advice ahead of work proceeding. While many manufacturers already have these systems in place, there are still some that don’t. Often this is due to the hefty investment required. However, ensuring adequate competencies onsite increases quality control while also helping to avoid liability concerns, which could minimise costly issues later down the line.
Golden data thread
When considering the full lifecycle of a building, it is essential to uphold an up-to-date record of all data required to maintain and operate a built asset. Historically, when it comes to information management, vital data and files have been lost, or have even gone out of date. When considering the lifecycle of a building, this is not sufficient. Missing data leaves developers and operators without access to historic information when making important decisions, which can cause costly issues both on a financial and human level. So, if we want to mitigate risk, we must modernise our ways of working and learn how to store and harness this information.
Last year, the Code for Construction Product Information developed a Code for Construction Product Information. The code introduces five “acid tests” for production information: that it should be clear, accurate, up-to-date, accessible and unambiguous. This is just one of the initiatives that have been introduced to improve safety and reduce risk within the industry. It is expected that more schemes will be introduced over the coming months and years.
At Etex, we focus on a whole-life project mindset to ensure the golden data thread of information required for evidence, maintenance and warranties is easily accessible and easy to understand. Our suite of BIM models include all product information, which makes complex design detailing, regulations and construction project lifecycles as comprehensible as possible for the customer. Later on in a building’s life, this level of data management also allows building control surveyors and designers to look back at historic information and make decisions to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of a building.
The golden data thread is not just important for the safety and maintenance of a building, it is also crucial to ensure that construction projects run as smoothly as possible. When vital information can be viewed anywhere, and any substitutions or design amends can be approved quickly early on in the build process, projects will start to see an improvement to their bottom-line and preventable issues will be avoided.
Collective responsibility is key
Whether it comes to skills shortages, product durability, project delays or supply chain issues, there is a perfect storm brewing when it comes to risk within the sector and a lot still needs to be done to mitigate these factors.
Focusing on training and skills development is essential when it comes to mitigating risk and increasing quality control, so it is vital that we upskill our workforce to ensure competencies across the supply chain.
Manufacturers in particular also have a responsibility to ensure that products are fully tested and will meet a building’s requirements, ultimately speeding up the procurement process and enabling partners to rest assured that the products are fit-for-purpose.
Everyone working within the construction industry is concerned about risk implications to some extent, regardless of their role, so it is clear that early collaboration is crucial to identify risks and reduce any issues as the project evolves. We must modernise our ways of managing information to ensure that there is a seamless flow of data across parties throughout a building’s life, and right through to its deconstruction.
However, this collaboration must remain a priority throughout a building’s lifecycle, with all projects working in tandem to highlight any risks and take decisive action so they don’t escalate. So, while more initiatives have been introduced to mitigate risk over the past couple of years, if we truly want to minimise risk and make our buildings safer, then as individuals we must all commit to operating responsibly to avoid costly issues later down the line.
Nigel Morrey
Technical director
Tel: +44 (0)1275 377 773
