As the Gateway 2 backlog clears and sign-off times significantly reduce for developers and duty holders, Acorn Aluminium is embedding competence, compliance and transparency into every project.
Taking a proactive approach to protecting life as part of the Building Safety Act, Gateway 2 ensures that safety is designed into high-rise, higher-risk buildings (HRBs) from the outset. Moving away from reactive checks, risks are managed at the earliest stage, with detailed, compliant plans for fire safety and structural integrity implemented before spades hit the ground.
For contractors and specialist suppliers, this requires a change of mindset, with the emphasis on demonstrating capability in advance, rather than proving compliance retrospectively.
Embracing this cultural shift in the construction landscape, Acorn Aluminium is fully committed to applying the same high standards of skills, evidence and transparency across all projects – not just those legally bound to Gateway 2.
With competence embedded into its everyday operations in the design, manufacture and installation of aluminium window, door and façade systems, Acorn’s approach encompasses its people, process and wider supply chain.
“The Gateway 2 checkpoint requires capability and accountability from all parties involved in high-rise, HRB construction. Our goal is to clearly demonstrate those things through our day-to-day business and on every scheme we work on,” explains Paul Stevens, Managing Director, Acorn Aluminium.
“This also extends to our supply chain, where we are encouraging our partners to do the necessary training and plug any skills gaps, as we are doing ourselves. This ensures that all parties are aligned and ready to proceed with projects once Gateway 2 has been cleared.”
Taking compliance in its stride, Acorn’s ‘business-as-usual’ approach to training, as well as its commitment to process, minimises the risk of delays at regulatory pinch points and also makes expensive redesigns and rework less likely, further down the line.
The Golden Thread in practice
Maintaining traceability from tender through design, procurement, manufacture and installation, Acorn strives to ensure information is accurate, current and accessible via the Golden Thread, with skills, knowledge, experience and behaviour (SKEB) underpinning its approach.
“Here at Acorn, we’ve been heavily recruiting more staff in the design department to help with our tender bids for Gateway 2 projects,” adds Paul.
“Once on board, an ongoing learning programme is essential for all our people, and we’ll do 10-12 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities a year.
“We’ve also built a training matrix, so once our staff members complete a CPD course or achieve a qualification, that goes on the skills matrix, which will in turn evidence any skills gaps,” adds Paul.
“We can then improve our training by looking for where the gaps are and trying to plug them. We’re not there yet. It’s still a journey, but we’re continually moving in the right direction.”
Applying Gateway-level standards to each and every project, even those outside England, Acorn believes competence and consistency are essential to safe project delivery in the built environment.
Transparency from tender stage
Demonstrating full transparency from the tender stage onwards, clients are shown not just the price of its aluminium windows, doors and facades, but how work will be delivered competently, from day one.
“While Gateway 2 represents a proactive approach to the safety of high-rise HRBs, Acorn handles quality and compliance in product and service delivery in exactly the same way,” says Paul.
“Rather than being a regulatory hurdle to overcome or a last-minute check, competency is embedded throughout our entire process – from product design and fabrication through to picking, quality control and dispatch.”
This controlled, disciplined approach, reinforced by a continuous focus on strengthening skills and knowledge, ensures compliance, reduces rework and minimises on-site setbacks, ensuring quality, like safety, is integral from the very start.
“After a significant backlog last year, Gateway 2 approvals are gaining momentum as sign-off times reduce. Our clients can rest assured that Acorn is a well-prepared and a safe pair of hands to partner with as projects get underway,” concludes Paul.
For more about Acorn Aluminium, please call 0115 928 2166, email [email protected], or visit www.acornaluminium.com.