Makers Construction Joins Building Safety Forum at NEC Birmingham

Emphasising the Gateway to Building Safely

Makers Construction was among the key attendees at this year’s Building Safety Forum held at the NEC Birmingham, contributing insight, thought and leadership around one of the industry’s most pressing topics, the implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022 and its implications on project specification, delivery and compliance.

The forum, a gathering of industry professionals, regulators, and innovators, comes at a pivotal moment for UK construction. With the Building Safety Act now in effect, organisations like Makers Construction are leading the charge in adapting to its new requirements viewing them not as obstacles, but as an opportunity to fundamentally improve how buildings are designed, specified, and built.

“The Gateway to Building Safely isn’t just a compliance framework, it’s the biggest change to the building sector for over 40 years. It’s a chance to raise standards across the industry,” said Makers Construction Roofing Surveyor, Simon Hollier.

The Building Safety Act, especially through its rigorous three Gateway process, places increased emphasis on upfront clarity and risk management. The Building Safety Regulator now oversees compliance throughout the project lifecycle, from planning to handover with little room for post-approval design change.

Understanding the Gateway Process

• While currently focused on high-risk buildings, the scope is expected to broaden to include all habitable spaces.
• The practice of substituting specified products with ‘similar approved’ alternatives is likely to be reduced.
• Design change approvals could take up to 12 weeks, reducing the viability of        mid-project alterations.

The three Gateway stages, designed to embed safety at every stage of a high-rise residential, care, or healthcare development:

• Gateway One: Safety is factored into planning, especially fire safety for taller structures.
• Gateway Two: Before construction, detailed, realistic designs must be regulator approved including a clear ‘golden thread’ of documentation.
• Gateway Three: Pre-occupation approval ensures the as built structure meets all safety regulations. Without sign-off, occupation is prohibited.

The team at Makers Construction sees the Building Safety Act not simply as a legal requirement, but as a long-overdue shift in the industry, one that demands better collaboration between developers, designers, manufacturers and contractors.  As Makers Construction continues to operate at the forefront of roofing and structural refurbishment, their engagement at the Building Safety Forum demonstrates a clear commitment: to deliver safer, smarter buildings through early specification, transparent collaboration, and unwavering compliance.

“Let’s build it right, from the start.”