Construction details cannot be freely changed after BSR approval.
Any change to approved documents is classed as a controlled change. Some changes may be minor, but others require formal approval before work can continue. The key point is that approval is tied to specific drawings, specifications and strategies. Once these are agreed, they are treated as fixed.
In practice, many changes arise from buildability issues, sequencing clashes or late product availability. These are common site realities, but they do not remove the need for assessment. Even a change that appears small can affect fire performance, structural behaviour or compliance with approved layouts.
If a change affects fire safety, structure, layout or escape routes, it is almost always notifiable or major. These changes must be reviewed before work continues, not justified afterwards. Proceeding without approval creates risk not just for Gateway 3, but also for enforcement during construction.
Site teams should also be aware that like-for-like substitutions are often misunderstood. A product that looks similar or performs a similar function may still differ in fire rating, installation method or certification. Assumptions at this stage are a common source of later compliance issues.
The safest approach is to assume that any change needs to be assessed before being built, not after. If there is doubt, pause the work, raise the issue, and record the decision properly. It is far easier to manage a controlled change early than to explain an unauthorised one later.
In practice, many changes arise from buildability issues, sequencing clashes or late product availability. These are common site realities, but they do not remove the need for assessment. Even a change that appears small can affect fire performance, structural behaviour or compliance with approved layouts.
If a change affects fire safety, structure, layout or escape routes, it is almost always notifiable or major. These changes must be reviewed before work continues, not justified afterwards. Proceeding without approval creates risk not just for Gateway 3, but also for enforcement during construction.
Site teams should also be aware that like-for-like substitutions are often misunderstood. A product that looks similar or performs a similar function may still differ in fire rating, installation method or certification. Assumptions at this stage are a common source of later compliance issues.
The safest approach is to assume that any change needs to be assessed before being built, not after. If there is doubt, pause the work, raise the issue, and record the decision properly. It is far easier to manage a controlled change early than to explain an unauthorised one later.
Image © London Construction Magazine Limited
|
Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
