With MySiniat having been shortlisted in the FIS Innovation Awards, Nigel Morrey, Technical Director at Siniat, explains how digitally accessible, accurate, data enables subcontractors to meet performance requirements and ensure smooth installation.

The introduction of the Building Safety Act means that the sector now requires a seismic shift in the way that it operates.

From the conceptualisation of a build right through to deconstruction, the safety of each individual building element, how it will react as part of a system, and how it is installed must be given greater consideration than ever before.

This means that there is an enhanced need to produce, share and revisit construction data to make sure that buildings are not only safe during the build phase but that they will remain safe for their entire lifecycle, too. The only way that we can do this – and do it accurately – is to adopt and invest in digital tools to aid professionals across the supply chain.

Historically, the industry has been slow to embrace digitisation. However, in recent years, uptake has begun to increase and larger numbers of firms have been adopting digital methods of manufacturing for, designing, and constructing buildings, thanks to the speed, agility, and sustainability benefits it can offer.

However, with the Building Safety Act now mandating a requirement for a ‘Golden Thread’ of building information, it is critical that we all utilise digital technology to share data, increase building safety, mitigate risk and prevent challenges on site.

A digital roadmap

The provision of data is not a requirement for one specific profession – or person – it is critical that every party, on every project, has access to a building’s data to ensure that it will be constructed safely, and remain safe in the future. So, while digital platforms have long been a tool for designers, or a ‘nice to have’ for others in the supply chain, they must now play a fundamental role in all of our everyday work.

This means that it isn’t just architects and engineers who should be championing such tools – manufacturers, suppliers and subcontractors should also be referring to cloud-based, real-time, systems to ensure safe installation and long-term performance.

This data is critical for every element of a building but drylining requires additional attention due to the fact that it makes up a large percentage of a building’s passive fire protection. So, whatever the building fabric or method of assembly, it is essential that drylining specifications are consciously scrutinised, accurate, and certified robust.

Avoiding interpretation

Drylining and partitioning are an integral part of many fitouts, usually offering performance attributes such as fire, acoustics, and robustness, as well as making a major contribution to the overall appearance and quality of the finished space. This means that ensuring accurate specification is not only essential to meet client requirements, but also to mitigate risks, achieve performance criteria and avoid the need for rework.

For this reason, data-led specification is in everyone’s interest not only because it removes any ambiguity around dimensions, workmanship, performance requirements and construction information. This means that directions for use are clear enabling subcontractors to get it right the first time and minimise the risks of errors which are, at best, expensive to fix and, at worst, unsafe.

At Siniat, we know that adequate performance data and extensive testing of drylining systems is fundamental in ensuring safer construction. Therefore, to support our partners in meeting the requirements of the Building Safety Act, we recently launched our digital platform, MySiniat.

The platform grants our partners real time access to CAD files, fire classification reports, acoustic reports and datasheets to enable a smooth specification process while ensuring the provision of a ‘Golden Thread’ of information that can be accessed for any project, from anywhere, at any time.

While developments to the platform are ongoing, by supporting our partners in the provision of data-led specification and real-time updates, we can ensure that everyone on a project is working to accurate performance and installation criteria that will ensure a building is safe not just today, but tomorrow too.

To find out more or sign up to MySiniat, visit: https://www.siniat.co.uk/en-gb/uk/mysiniat/