February 2022

Industry News
BARRIERS TO
HOUSEBUILDING
More than nine out of ten smaller
housebuilders have said planning is the
biggest obstacle to increasing their
housing delivery, according to a recent
survey from the Home Builders Federation
(HBF), Close Brothers Property Finance
and Travis Perkins.
The survey, now in its second year, takes a
deeper look at how the Covid-19 pandemic
has changed the landscape for housing
delivery via SMEs, and includes an in-depth
focus group this year, which drills down into
the key findings from the survey.
The findings also showed that 78% of
housebuilders see the supply and cost of
materials as a major barrier to delivery,
which was up 20% from last year.
In recent months, global materials shortages
and subsequent price inflation have proven
to be another significant barrier for SMEs,
and it now features as one of the top three
major barriers identified by respondents.
They survey also showed that 59% see the
supply and cost of labour as a major barrier
(up from 19% last year).
Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the
Home Builders Federation, said: “Recent
decades have seen a collapse in SME
builders numbers and the survey shows the
considerable challenges the sector continues
to face. Every single SME I speak to is
suffering badly from delays to the planning
process. SMEs are literally having to put their
businesses on hold whilst Local Authorities
delay the start of construction as their
planning departments don’t have adequate
capacity to process applications effectively.
Allied to concerns on materials and staff,
planning delays threaten the demise of even
more SME builders.”
More news, updates and interviews at www.total-contractor.co.uk
BLUE BOOK UPDATED WITH LATEST REGS
NFRC has published the Fifth Edition
(Revision A) of ‘Profiled sheet roofing and
cladding – the NFRC guide to design and
best practice’, which is more commonly
known as the Blue Book.
Aimed at designers, managers and estimators,
NFRC says the Blue Book provides an accessible
and practical guide to the application, design and
installation of profiled sheeting for roof and wall
cladding.
With the help of NFRC’s Sheeting and Cladding
Technical Committee and other stakeholders,
NFRC says the Blue Book has now been
updated and reviewed to ensure it
reflects the most recent changes in
building regulations, Approved
Documents, industry standards, and
modern techniques.
For the first time, the Blue Book now provides a
breakdown of the differences in building
regulations between all four Devolved Nations.
The revised Fifth Edition also incorporates the
updated BS 5427 Code of Practice for the use of
profiled sheet for roof and wall cladding on
buildings.
All NFRC members involved in sheeting and
cladding will receive a digital copy of the Blue
Book via email. NFRC says those who would like
a physical copy should request one by emailing
helpdesk@nfrc.co.uk and additional copies can
be purchased by NFRC members for £30 (£45 for
non-members) plus postage and packing.
NFRC has stated special thanks go to EJOT for
“kindly sponsoring this Fifth Edition of the Blue
Book”.
Commenting on the publication, Bob Richardson,
NFRC’s Head of Technical and Training, said: “The
Blue Book, now in its fifth edition, is widely used
and respected across the industry, being an
essential guide for those responsible for design
and detailing alike. We are pleased to publish this
latest revision which ensures the Blue Book is
Left: Bob Richardson; Above: The new Blue
Book sponsored by EJOT.
brought up-to-date with the latest
regulations and standards. It also, for
the very first time, has a breakdown of the
differences in regulation between the Devolved
Nations.”
He added: “I would like to thank the members of
the NFRC Sheeting and Cladding Committee,
members of NARM, as well as Tom Ogilvie, Bill
Hawker, Andrew Brown and William Bird, who
gave up their time to help produce this revision. I
would also like to thank EJOT for kindly
sponsoring this edition of the Blue Book.”
Robert Hardstaff, Managing Director of EJOT in the
UK, said: “As manufacturers, we share an
objective with NFRC to encourage best practice
and to support the sector by aiming to improve
quality standards from specification through to
installation. In a climate where change is moving
at a pace, we embrace the originality and
innovation of an industry where new products and
techniques provide an objective response to these
market demands. It’s therefore vital to keep our
technical knowledge fully updated – and that’s
what makes the Blue Book so vital.”
Copies of the Blue Book can be requested on the
NFRC website publications page. www.nfrc.co.uk
12 TC FEBRUARY 2022