Cladding remediation is pressing housebuilders and developers to begin an introspective examination of not only their buildings but their construction processes, explains Mike White, CTO at Zutec.
So far, 49 housebuilders in England have pledged to action the critical remediation of dangerous cladding. Contracts have now been sent out to ensure commitment.
It means that work has already begun across the country to remedy the situation that puts tens of thousands of lives at risk. Time is of the essence. The combined cost is expected to be around the £8 billion mark – which may prove to be the biggest hurdle in resolving the cladding crisis.
Clearly, a more efficient approach embracing digital processes can construction technology can help to mitigate unnecessary costs and time.
Credit: Maxim Kazmin/Alamy
An insular industry
The construction industry is notorious for sticking to tried and trusted methods. So much so, that the sector is second only to agriculture as the least digitised sector in the world. Excel sheets, pdfs and paper copies still form the backbone of many construction sites and maintained buildings. Important documentation can reside in dusty boxes and fade with time. Documents are lost, damaged and prone to error, meaning intrusive tests may be required on cladding inspections due to a lack of credible building information. Clearly, a better process is required.
These documents and records are constantly referred to during all phases of the building lifecycle – and the cladding remediation process requires a better method.
Photographic evidence may also be required to prove compliance and that the correct materials have been used to release the all-important EWS1 forms. This is unchartered territory for many involved in the process. Housebuilders and developers new build pipelines must be maintained to ensure balance sheets remain in the black. How will cladding remediation fit in around their packed itineraries? And how will resources be stretched as more work gets underway?
Duty holders, contractors and inspectors will need to embrace digitisation to bring efficiency to the process, especially for photo-based evidence.