Consultation seeks to define industry competence standards
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has voiced its support for a series of competence consultations to improve building safety and sustainability across the United Kingdom.
BESA said the process will focus on establishing agreed competence standards for industrial and commercial ductwork installation.
According to the Association, the work responds to recommendations made in the Hackitt Review following the Grenfell Tower fire.
BESA explained that it is collaborating with the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG), which is part of the Building Safety Regulator’s Industry Competence Committee (ICC).
The ICC was set up under the Building Safety Act 2022 to coordinate employer and industry input into competence requirements.
BESA stated that the first consultation, ‘Managing competence for industrial and commercial ductwork installation’, will inform training and assessment pathways for installers.
The Association added that the approach will be replicated across other built environment sectors in the future.
Sector invited to contribute feedback
BESA’s director of competence and compliance Jill Nicholls said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to shape the future of skills and professional competence across the ductwork sector and set standards for the industry that will define our response to the rapidly developing building safety culture.”
She added: “The success of this project depends on the expert input of the whole sector, so we are urging all of the industry’s stakeholders to provide their feedback.”
BESA confirmed that feedback received will be used to shape the final framework.
The Association said the consultation period will close on 29 August.
Role of the ductwork installer competence group
According to BESA, the results of the consultation will guide the work of the Ductwork Installer Competence Group (DICG).
BESA explained that the DICG is a cross-industry body formed to oversee the creation and delivery of the competence framework.
The Association reported that the framework will apply to the installation of industrial and commercial ventilation, fume extract, fire resisting and smoke control ductwork.
It will also cover fire and smoke dampers and related components.
Link to wider building safety measures
BESA noted that the consultation builds on its earlier production of practical guidance to help industry meet competence requirements.
The Association stated that the first in a planned series of free ‘Demonstrating SKEB’ guides was produced for industrial and commercial ductwork installers.
BESA said the guides are intended to help individuals and organisations demonstrate Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB).
The Association added that the ductwork guide includes a model of ‘what good looks like’ and steps to gather and present competence evidence.
Planned expansion of sector guidance
BESA confirmed that similar SKEB guides will be developed for other parts of the built environment sector.
The Association explained that these will be released alongside emerging sector skills frameworks.
According to BESA, the aim is to give all industry participants a clear reference for competence expectations.
BESA said the initiative is part of an industry-wide response to the post-Grenfell regulatory environment.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
BESA reported that competence frameworks are designed to ensure that those installing safety-critical systems meet recognised standards.
For fire safety professionals, this includes the correct installation of fire resisting and smoke control ductwork, fire dampers and associated components.
The Association said such systems are integral to fire safety performance in buildings.
Competence consultations may influence training requirements, assessment criteria and evidence gathering for those working in fire-related building services.
Competence consultations launched for UK ductwork sector: Summary
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has announced its support for a series of competence consultations in the United Kingdom.
The consultations aim to establish agreed competence standards for industrial and commercial ductwork installation.
BESA is working with the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) under the Building Safety Regulator’s Industry Competence Committee (ICC).
The first consultation, ‘Managing competence for industrial and commercial ductwork installation’, will inform pathways to competence for installers.
The process is part of a wider programme to create similar frameworks across the built environment.
BESA’s Jill Nicholls said the project depends on sector-wide feedback.
The Ductwork Installer Competence Group (DICG) will oversee framework development and implementation.
The framework will cover ventilation, fume extract, fire resisting and smoke control ductwork, and related components.
The consultation closes on 29 August.
BESA has also published a ‘Demonstrating SKEB’ guide for ductwork installers.
Further guides will be produced for other sectors alongside emerging skills frameworks.