Supply chain collaboration helps meet legislation requirements
Early cooperation between suppliers and partners is improving industry response to new legal duties in the United Kingdom.
AEI Cables has reported that increased engagement across the construction supply chain is helping stakeholders meet the requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022.
The legislation applies to high-risk buildings in England, defined as those over 18 metres tall or with seven or more storeys containing at least two residential units.
AEI Cables general manager Stuart Dover 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 company said that this approach is receiving positive responses from industry professionals, particularly in relation to complex safety documentation requirements.
The role of the Building Safety Act and regulator
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduces new responsibilities for the design, construction and occupation of high-rise buildings.
According to AEI Cables, the Act includes a ‘Golden Thread’ requirement, meaning that accurate and accessible safety information must be kept for the full life of a building.
This includes information relevant to fire and structural safety, and must be accessible to the people who need it.
The Act also creates a new Building Safety Regulator, which will oversee building safety and performance in England.
The regulator will focus on high-rise residential buildings and will have responsibility for improving competence among building control officers, tradespeople and other professionals.
The company added that the regulator’s remit is to promote organisational capability across the sector.
Cable standards and fire performance categories
AEI Cables has been providing guidance on the use of Category 3 Control fire performance cables, in line with the revised British Standard BS 8519:2020.
These cables are designed to maintain circuit integrity during fire and limit the spread of smoke and toxic gases.
According to AEI Cables, systems powered by these cables include smoke and heat extraction, which support safe evacuation and assist fire and rescue services during operations.
The company stated that this applies particularly to systems such as emergency voice communications, evacuation alarms for disabled people, and voice alarm systems in high-occupancy buildings.
Relevant premises listed in the guidance include hospitals, tall buildings, shopping centres, office developments and sports venues.
Approval and certification for high-performance cables
AEI Cables said its Firetec Enhanced range is approved to both Category 2 and Category 3 Control as defined in Annex B of BS 8519.
This approval has been granted by LPCB, an independent certification body for fire safety products.
BS 8519 outlines six cable categories based on performance: three for power and three for control, each with specific survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
The company noted that this classification helps ensure appropriate cable selection based on building use and risk.
AEI Cables said its products undergo assessment by other independent bodies including BASEC.
International and UK-specific approvals
In addition to domestic certification, AEI Cables confirmed that its products hold approvals from several UK and international bodies.
The company cited Lloyds, the Ministry of Defence, Network Rail and London Underground among those who have certified its products.
It also said that all of its cable ranges are manufactured in line with international standards.
According to AEI Cables, these standards support the supply of specialist fire performance cables to projects around the world.
UK suppliers support compliance with building safety legislation: Summary
AEI Cables has reported that early collaboration is supporting industry compliance with new UK legislation.
The Building Safety Act 2022 applies to high-rise residential buildings in England.
The Act requires a full record of safety information known as the Golden Thread.
It also establishes a Building Safety Regulator to oversee building performance.
AEI Cables said guidance is helping meet updated British Standards for fire cables.
Category 3 Control cables are used in critical life safety systems.
These systems include evacuation alarms and emergency voice communications.
AEI Cables said its Firetec Enhanced range is approved to BS 8519 Category 3 Control.
Approvals were granted by LPCB, an independent testing body.
The British Standard includes survival times of up to 120 minutes.
AEI Cables noted additional certifications from BASEC and other authorities.
UK approvals include the MoD, Network Rail and London Underground.
The company said all products comply with international manufacturing standards.
It stated that early collaboration helps meet documentation and safety requirements.
The company confirmed positive feedback from clients using the guidance.