The Building Safety Act is one of the most significant developments in our industry with the primary focus on improving the safety and quality of buildings, achieved through greater collaboration across the supply chain. The Act also solidifies the need to prove that solutions are tested to the appropriate standards with documentation readily available.
Demonstrating safety and compliance at a time of legislative and cultural change places far more onus on the supply chain to prove that the products they choose meet the required performance standards. This applies not only to single products in isolation but also to the way products perform together when used in combination to create a system.
As new legislation builds momentum, contractors will increasingly rely on their local merchant for the right advice and guidance on credible and compliant solutions for their build projects.
With plasterboard a widely used material across construction, it’s important to source and supply proven products and systems. Working closely with trusted supplier partners and UK accredited manufacturers, merchants can provide their customers with complete solutions that are backed by a full system performance warranty.
A fully warrantied system, tested as a complete system, allows builders to choose a demonstrably compliant solution for their customers, avoid pitfalls in performance and certification and meet the requirements of the Act. Merchants embracing a system selling approach also benefit from growing their basket sales.
Understanding what projects customers are working on will enable merchants to look at where they can add value. For example, where performance is key, a comprehensive manufacturer system provides the technical performance and installation speed needed on site.
Knauf is a leading manufacturer of gypsum-based building materials in the UK, producing an extensive range of standard and high-performance plasterboard, finishes, metal sections and accessories. Manufactured to British and European regulatory standards, Knauf products are available in a wide range of sizes, and easy to install too.
The Encon Group is the merchant’s warehouse and the leading independent distributor of Knauf products. We supply an extensive choice of Knauf systems and solutions, helping merchants maximise sales opportunities with UK compliant ranges.
Knauf’s specialist board range, for example, gives merchants a choice of boards with specific design and performance benefits. The three main ones for domestic settings include:
Knauf Moisture Panel with additives that resist the ingress of moisture, making this board ideal for high humidity areas such as kitchens or bathrooms. This panel provides a stable base for tiling or plastering and is suitable for walls and ceilings. Standard board would usually require extra components for moisture protection.
Knauf Soundshield Plus – ideal where sound reduction is of particular importance. Its high mass and tuned core give enhanced acoustic performance to reduce or stop noise transfer between neighbouring rooms, while also providing excellent fire and impact resistance when used as part of a Knauf system.
Knauf Fire Panel – tested to the latest EN standards and offers superior fire protection when used as part of a full Knauf system. The additional fire protection properties of this Fire Panel make it ideal for use in separating walls, garages and corridors. In the event of a fire, as part of a drywall system, Fire Panel is designed to slow the spread of fire between rooms allowing for safe evacuation of the building. With fire as one of the major causes of damage within our homes, fire protection is perhaps the most critical area to note in building safety.
The changes cascading down from the Building Safety Act are impacting the way contractors are approaching projects. There is a mandate to demonstrate competency with the products and systems being installed, and contractors will look to their local merchant for access to the necessary training and support.
Knauf provides training through dedicated technical teams, as well technical data sheets, test certification and specification expertise. Training covers common issues encountered in specific applications and guidance on which board is best suited to deliver the required results.
The Encon Group is the UK leading independent distributor of building solutions, supplying merchants with a wide choice of building materials via our national branch network and specialist distribution divisions. These include roof, wall and floor insulation, standard and specialist boards, drywall systems and accessories, passive fire protection, construction products and much more.
To discuss your requirements or to access Knauf’s technical training and support, including data sheets and test certification, contact your local Encon branch.
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