With building regulations facing significant changes in recent years and more expected in the near future, it is essential anyone involved in the design and construction of riser shafts in new buildings is prepared for now and the future. With that in mind, it’s important to acknowledge exactly why that is.

The need for tighter regulations has been exacerbated by the recent Grenfell Tower inquiry, which highlighted the crucial significance of fire safety in high-risk buildings (HRB) and the critical role that non-combustible material plays.

With increasing demand for homes in cities across the UK, and these locations already being densely populated, the only way is up. This is heightening the need for building designers and developers to consider repurposing existing properties, as well as designing and building new residential properties with higher densities. This need to accommodate higher densities, all while balancing safety, efficiency, and accessibility, will likely drive tighter safety and quality standards, especially in HRBs.

Despite the increasingly stringent building and fire safety measures, many building designers take a reactive approach, instead of designing out risk proactively – passing on risk responsibility to the main contractor. However, taking a holistic approach to building and riser shaft safety can help developers and building owners comply with ever-changing regulations, future-proof their buildings, and ensure structural integrity.

Ensuring building safety shouldn’t just be about reducing hazards once construction is in progress – keeping contractors and other workers safe throughout the building process fundamental.

With that in mind, proactively addressing riser shaft safety is vital, especially as it is the only area of multistory buildings without a regularly designed flooring requirement. Indeed, clear, safe, and well-designed riser shaft flooring that utilises the right materials and focuses on fire will ensure a safe working environment.

The installation of non-combustible materials that achieve performance class A1 or A2 in accordance with the adopted standard will ensure the riser shaft won’t act as a vertical conduit for smoke and fire.

When the design of riser shafts doesn’t consider riser flooring or all related elements, such as MEP, structural elements, and fire protection materials, problems can arise during construction or after occupants move in.

In fact, without the effective integration of riser flooring systems, misalignments with MEP systems and poor access points can often be the result – leading to significant rework and project delays that cost crucial time and money.

Conversely, early collaboration and proper coordination can ensure the riser shaft flooring is well-integrated into the building’s infrastructure. Macro-enhanced modelling software helps here, enabling the modular riser flooring system to be integrated into the building’s federated model – ensuring vital riser shaft cohesion.

This proactive approach will ensure a reduced need for reactive changes and rework and enable projects to be completed on time and to budget.

With riser flooring systems integral to the safety and functionality of HRBs, ensuring they are designed with superior fire safety in mind is critical. This provides peace of mind to developers, contractors, and building users, and ensures compliance with safety, accessibility, and standards.

This exacerbates the importance of taking a proactive approach when it comes to riser shaft design and construction. Integrating modular riser flooring systems into the overall riser shaft design, and indeed the design of the entire building, will enhance structural integrity and enable it to meet vital building regulations surrounding buildability, longevity, and safety.

Furthermore, utilising non-combustible materials and incorporating these early in the design process will ensure compliance with EN13501-1 and increase the likelihood of the project being passed through Gateways Two and Three.

With building regulations likely to tighten in the future, taking a proactive approach can future-proof buildings, reduce insurance costs enhancing worker and occupant safety, and comply with even the most stringent standards.