The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) says it strongly supports a stark warning from the Building Safety Regulator that main contractors must tighten their grip on sub-contractor quality, competence and compliance on higher-risk building projects (HRBs).
Regulator chair Andy Roe said the watchdog will step up scrutiny of how main contractors manage supply chains, particularly as projects move from gateway two design approval towards gateway three completion. His message was clear: better designs will not protect residents unless they are delivered properly on site.
Lord Roe called for stronger evidence of management, accountability and quality control across sub-contracted work. The former London Fire Commissioner, who attended the Grenfell Tower fire, warned that although the industry had made progress, weak oversight still posed an unacceptable risk.
“This is exactly the intervention the sector needs,” said BESA’s director of specialist knowledge Rachel Davidson. “Demonstrating the competence and quality of the supply chain is no longer an option, it is a fundamental part of meeting legal duties.
“Clients must have confidence that those they appoint have the skills, knowledge, experience, behaviours and organisational capability needed to deliver safe, compliant buildings.”
BESA said the Regulator’s warning reinforced the importance of its Member Pledge initiative, launched last year when leading members committed to putting professional and technical competence at the heart of their operations — and requiring the same standards from their supply chains.
This has led to more supply chain firms applying for membership so they can demonstrate competence and compliance through BESA’s unique independent technical audit system. The Association’s Competence Assessment Standard (CAS) is aligned with the Build UK Common Assessment Standard and has been updated to align closely with the requirements of the Building Safety Act.
BESA also stressed that the audit process focused specifically on whether companies could "actually do the job" to which they were being appointed. Companies are re-audited every three years — or more often where required — giving clients stronger assurance that contractors not only meet quality requirements but are technically competent to carry out their role.
BESA recently published a Clients’ Guide to the Building Safety Act, which sets out the legal duties attached to that role, and how to keep projects compliant at every stage. Additionally, it clarifies the specific requirements for HRBs, common pitfalls to avoid, and the consequences of getting it wrong.
“Crucially, the Guide should also give contractors the confidence to challenge poor client decisions and procurement errors that could compromise safety or quality,” added Davidson. “Under the legislation, contractors are duty bound to refuse to start work unless they are satisfied the client fully understands their responsibilities.”
