Gateway Steps Explained
In response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the UK government enacted the Building Safety Act, to enhance safety standards for higher-risk buildings (HRBs). A key component of this legislation is the introduction of three Gateways, serving as critical checkpoints to ensure safety throughout a building’s lifecycle.
Gateway 1: Planning Stage
Gateway 1, also known as the Planning Gateway, is the initial checkpoint encountered during the planning permission stage for higher-risk buildings. It serves as a crucial early intervention mechanism, preventing the construction of buildings with inherent safety flaws or inadequate safety considerations.
Gateway 2: Pre-Construction Phase
Gateway 2 occurs before construction can begin and replaces the traditional building control deposit of plans stage for HRBs. At this stop/go point, building control approval must be obtained from the Building Safety Regulator before relevant building work starts.
The Principal Designer is responsible for submitting a comprehensive Gateway 2 application, which must include:
- Full plans, specifications, and schedules describing the works, all catalogued in a reference file.
- Supporting documents in accordance with Regulation 4 of the HRB Regulations (including evidence of competence, safety-critical information, etc).
Additionally, the Principal Contractor must ensure that any changes during construction to the approved design at Gateway 2 are included in a change log.
Gateway 3: Pre-Occupation Stage
Gateway 3 is the final checkpoint before a building is occupied, ensuring that all safety requirements have been met during construction. The Building Safety Regulator oversees building work as the building control body for HRBs, working closely with local authorities and fire and rescue authorities to make sure the right specialists and regulators are in place when making decisions on applications.
Benx’s Commitment to Building Safety
At Benx, we are dedicated to supporting the construction industry in meeting these enhanced safety standards. Our comprehensive range of façade solutions, including our new certified Safewall® systems, are designed to comply with the stringent requirements set forth by the Building Safety Act.
We offer our agrément-certified façade systems for various project types, because we know safety is always a priority. Our expertise in fire-rated cladding solutions stems from our policy of carefully selecting high quality components and then certifying them in a system configuration.
For more information on how Benx can assist with your building projects, please visit our website or contact our team of experts who are on hand to answer your questions.