The British Standards Institution has issued an updated PAS 9980 code reconsidering when tower block cladding requires removal, while ministers urge mortgage lenders to scrap EWS1 forms. For facade remediation specialists, defensible engineering assessments and robust golden thread records will determine project viability.
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BSI updates PAS 9980: proportionate risk assessment or remediation delay?
Reporting on 14 September 2026, industry outlet constructionmanagement.co.uk (Construction Management) revealed that the British Standards Institution has revised the PAS 9980 code, reassessing whether multi-storey residential cladding must be completely removed or remediated proportionally. For Brockmere Cladding and its housing association clients across England, this update provides crucial guidance on whether full rainscreen replacement or targeted fire stopping satisfies Building Safety Regulator safety cases while avoiding unnecessary capital expenditure.
According to constructionmanagement.co.uk on 14 September 2026, alongside coverage from thefpa.co.uk on 15 September 2026, the British Standards Institution has published an updated version of PAS 9980. The code establishes a formal methodology for assessing external wall fire risks on multistorey residential blocks, directly determining whether landlords must commission full facade removal or targeted remediation.
- The British Standards Institution published the updated PAS 9980 code on 15 September 2026 to refine risk appraisal criteria.
- The revised standard reassesses technical thresholds that determine whether external tower block cladding requires complete strip out or proportionate remediation.
- External wall appraisals conducted under PAS 9980 directly underpin Building Safety Regulator safety case assessments and local building control approvals in England.
Why it matters: Because Brockmere Cladding assumes full design responsibility for external wall systems and rainscreen cladding, this update allows the Leeds-based contractor to guide housing associations and principal contractors through revised appraisal findings. The team can formally demonstrate whether targeted fire stopping or full system replacement is the compliant, cost-effective route.
Talking points
- Proportionate fire appraisals must rely on intrusive physical investigations rather than broad assumptions.
- Retaining non-combustible sub-structures saves landlords capital only when the entire assembly is certifiable.
- True design liability means standing behind the engineering assessment through regulatory completion.
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Government pushes mortgage lenders to abandon EWS1 forms
Inside Housing reported on 16 September 2026 that a housing minister confirmed government efforts to stop lenders requiring EWS1 forms on residential blocks. For housing associations and developers, removing EWS1 reliance shifts the entire burden of proof directly onto the Building Safety Regulator safety case and golden thread records.
Speaking at an industry session reported by Inside Housing on 16 September 2026, a government housing minister stated that ministers are actively lobbying mortgage providers to cease demanding EWS1 certificates, which have frequently stalled property transactions despite completed building works.
- Government ministers are pressing major UK mortgage lenders to halt mandatory EWS1 form requests.
- The move aims to transition the lending market toward statutory safety cases established under the Building Safety Act.
- Building owners remain obligated to demonstrate external wall compliance through digital golden thread archives.
Why it matters: Brockmere Cladding already compiles comprehensive golden thread handover files and system test evidence for clients. As the market transitions away from quick EWS1 checklists, this level of rigorous data will become the primary requirement for landlords proving asset compliance.
Talking points
- Scrapping EWS1 forms does not relax safety standards; it raises the bar for statutory record keeping.
- Valuers and lenders will inspect permanent building safety cases rather than single-page certificates.
- Contractors who do not preserve digital installation records create long-term valuation risks for landlords.
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CLC launches consultation on mandatory as-built and handover information
PBC Today reported on 14 September 2026 that the Construction Leadership Council and BIMinAM launched an open consultation on strict new as-built and handover information standards running until 16 October 2026. For residential landlords and main contractors, this defines the exact digital record threshold needed to pass regulatory inspection.
On 14 September 2026, PBC Today reported that the Construction Leadership Council Building Safety Group and BIM in Asset Management opened a public consultation on the draft guidance document titled As-Built and Handover Information Requirements, open until midday on 16 October 2026.
- The CLC and BIMinAM consultation opened on 2 September 2026 and concludes on 16 October 2026.
- Covers all building sectors, explicitly including residential refurbishment, retrofit, and replacement schemes.
- Defines explicit operational criteria for accepting, quality-assuring, and rejecting handed-over asset data.
Why it matters: Brockmere Cladding directly manages the golden thread records and test evidence for every external wall system it delivers. The draft CLC standards provide Brockmere's housing association and developer clients with a practical blueprint to enforce data compliance on facade projects.
Talking points
- Building completion certificates depend directly on the veracity of the as-built record.
- Clients must establish clear technical data deliverables before starting works on site.
- Direct installation by specialist teams produces substantially cleaner as-built trace records than fragmented subcontracting.
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