Got net-zero news, project updates, or product launches to share? Scotland’s Procurement Alliance backs new safety rules for cladding.
The Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) has shown its support for the new cladding safety measures endorsed by Scottish ministers, deeming it a significant advancement in enhancing public building safety standards.
This move is expected to bring about a positive transformation in the quality of cladding used in public buildings, making it simpler for organisations to identify reputable providers.
Under the Housing Cladding Remediation Bill, Scottish ministers will have the authority to conduct building assessments, enforce necessary improvements, maintain a building register, and establish a responsible developer scheme.
This decision by the government follows the SPA’s allocation of contracts to 27 expert fire safety providers and consultants as part of its revised £25 million fire safety framework, FS2.
The regional director at SPA, Lesley Anderson, expressed full support for the new cladding bill, aligning it with their ongoing efforts to enhance safety standards across public housing and buildings.
Anderson stated, “Our FS2 framework has been designed to complement this new Bill, providing our public sector partners with a streamlined process to take swift and effective actions towards achieving full compliance.”
The FS2 framework plays a vital role in advancing fire safety measures, offering comprehensive services for assessing and remediating cladding. This framework was specifically crafted to address critical safety concerns raised by the tragic Grenfell Tower fire.
In light of these developments, Anderson emphasised, “Our framework will play a crucial role in ensuring that safety measures keep up with legislative changes. The new cladding bill represents a progressive step towards further safeguarding residents and users of public buildings in Scotland.”
The introduction of the Housing Cladding Remediation Bill will empower building assessments to be carried out, enforce identified requirements, and maintain a register of buildings needing improvements or already meeting standards.
Anderson further noted, “This Bill will align with our framework by confirming the providers’ suitability to deliver the required services through the establishment of a responsible developers scheme.”
SPA’s frameworks are adaptable in accommodating updated legislation and offering pathways to qualified suppliers capable of delivering services to the expected standard.
Furthermore, SPA’s latest framework, the N9 Retrofit and Decarbonisation, is currently accepting applications from providers offering services related to building insulation and cladding, HVAC and renewables, building management systems, solar PV, battery, EV installation, energy consulting, and more.
The N9 framework aims to support the installation of rainscreen cladding in association with the introduction of the Cladding Remediation Bill, solidifying its commitment to enhancing safety standards across residential and public buildings.
