As the interior fit out construction industry continues to evolve, there are two significant changes that will have a profound impact on the sector: the Building Safety Act and the increasing role of distributors in supporting customers and their projects.

Here, Gerard Abbott-Drake, Director and co-owner of Go Interiors shares his thoughts on how distributors and the wider supply chain can help ensure safer buildings.

The Building Safety Act, which was introduced in the aftermath of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in London, received Royal Assent on 28th April 2022. This new legislation will define the construction landscape going forward. It introduced a series of regulatory changes aimed at improving building safety, including the creation of a new Building Safety Regulator, new construction product standards, and a requirement for buildings to have a digital record of their design, construction, and maintenance.

This new legislation will have an increasingly significant impact on the interior fit out construction sector, particularly in terms of material selection and fire safety and the competence of those designing with, procuring, managing and installing them. As a result, contractors will need to rely more heavily on the technical expertise of their supply chain partners to help them make the right choices.

Gerard Abbott-Drake, Director and co-owner of Go Interiors said: “As a leading distributor in the interior fit out construction sector, we are committed to providing our customers with the technical expertise they need to make informed decisions about these crucial aspects of their projects. By working closely with us along with our manufacturing partners, house builders and interior fit out specialists can ensure that their projects are successful and compliant with new regulations.

“Due to the regulatory changes brought on by the Building Safety Act, contractors will need to rely on the support and technical expertise of their supply chain partners to help them make the right choice in terms of the appropriate selection of materials.”

Iain McIlwee, FIS CEO added: “The Building Safety Act heralds the biggest change to the Building Regulations, certainly in modern times. It is concerning that vast swathes of our sector have not fully comprehended the significance – from Shed to Shard, Leader to Labourer these changes will impact every project and will require the supply chain to work together collaboratively and with a joined-up focus on products, process and people.”

In conclusion, the interior fit-out construction sector is undergoing a period of rapid change. This is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing demand for sustainable and personalised design, the need for improved safety,  health and wellness, and the growing importance of collaboration and integration.  By working closely with distributors like Go Interiors, contractors can access the technical expertise they need to make informed decisions about material selection and fire safety, ensuring that their projects are successful and compliant with new regulations.

By working together, the construction supply chain can help to ensure that the interior fit-out construction sector continues to evolve in a way that benefits everyone involved.

  • For further reading, click here for an introduction to the Building Safety Act from the Finishes and Interiors Sector Trade Association – the representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK.
  • To learn more about how Go Interiors can help with material selection and project support, get in touch with a member of the team.

Pictured: Gerard Abbott-Drake