Mar 11 2005
A new Loss Prevention Standard (LPS) for Innovative Dwellings*, is now ready to be trialled by housing manufacturers following extensive consultations with major stakeholders over the past year. The LPS 2020 standard was developed by BRE Certification - at the request of insurers, mortgage lenders, regulators and manufacturers - to provide an effective method of assessing the performance and design of new methods of construction that do not have an adequate track record in service in the UK.
Its introduction is particularly significant in light of the current pressure from Government and others to increase the use of so-called modern methods of construction in dwellings. 'We've now reached an exciting stage with the standard', says Paul Sims of BRE Certification. 'The objectives, scope and operation of it have been agreed and the calibration trials can now begin with interested manufacturers. This stage of the process will help us to refine specific details and ensure the overall effectiveness of the standard.' During the calibration stage BRE Certification will work with on-site inspectors, such as building control and warranty providers, to make sure they understand and check the on-site quality issues for innovative building systems during the construction of dwellings. The calibration stage will also involve trailing a suite of supporting standards that set higher performance levels for dwellings.
These additional standards will provide the option for manufacturers to demonstrate that their specialist systems achieve higher levels of performance for flood resilience, fire resistance, security, energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. BRE Certification plans to launch LPS 2020 later this year. The standard is expected to reduce the overall costs of certification and approvals for manufacturers, because it should cut the number of certification / approval processes required to demonstrate that they perform as required. BRE Certification would like to hear from manufacturers of dwelling systems interested in signing up for calibration stage of the standard.
For more information please contact Paul Sims, Tel: 01923 664626 or Email: [email protected]
www.bretrust.org.uk