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For 2026, the team at Ai Solutions aim to continue to provide a top of the range software solution to facilitate all your CDM needs. We have some exciting development work ahead of us this year, which is to include BSA requirements as part of CDM ToolKit CS Cloud. For those that want to know more, and see things in action, why not email us on [email protected] for more information. CDM ToolKit CS Cloud shows real time, up to date information 24/7, in ONE system. Along with this, it provides easy access for all parties, including ‘read only’ access where needed. You control the data and the licencing yourselves. This new application works via the web so can be accessed anywhere 24/7 on any modern internet enabled device.

We continue to support our customers at all times, and we offer training where needed; their problems are ours and we take support very seriously indeed. If you would like to know more about CDM ToolKit CS Cloud, then please give a member of the team a call on 01525 850343 to arrange your free demonstration with them.

Fire Engineer’s Perspective for 2026

In recent years, we have seen the creation of the Building Safety Regulator and its increased scrutiny of the design, construction and management of buildings in the interest of safety. This is a welcome step forward, but delivery has been less than ideal, with resource limitations, widespread delays and costly applications, as identified in the report from the recent House of Lords Inquiry. Gateway 2 application signs offs have been taking 9 months rather than the 12-week target – something that simply isn’t sustainable for the long term.

With Andy Roe and Charlie Pugsley now at the helm fresh from London Fire Brigade, the BSR and Government are both trying to act to resolve this, but it won’t be easy, not least because of capacity issues and pay rates within the BSR. I concur with Andy Roe’s comment during a conference keynote that the BSR was Kafkaesque. This, for me, is telling and gives me hope. For those who don’t know what Kafkaesque mean, it’s a word that relates to the writer, Franz Kafka. In using this word, Andy Roe effectively described the BSR as oppressively complex and seemingly illogical bureaucracy. Kafkaesque also means absurd, having a lack of logic, arbitrary, unnecessarily longwinded and defying explanation and reason…. you get the picture, and I don’t disagree. Efforts to improve this situation will continue in 2026, and only when applications are being dealt with in a timely manner will the establishment of a single construction regulator be focused on.

It has now been confirmed that only buildings with a top occupied floor of 18m or more will fall under the remit of the BSR – I am sure that everyone involved is breathing a sigh of relief at this, given that the current system is not coping with the number of applications being made.

In 2026, plans will also be progressed in terms of regulating the fire engineering profession. It is very much hoped that Government and the new regulator that will oversee fire engineers will heed the recent experiences of the building control profession – whilst we need to professionalise the fire engineering industry and ensure that fire engineers demonstrate competence, we simply cannot afford to do so in a way that reduces the existing capacity. We must find ways to support and encourage our existing fire engineers to work towards demonstrating competence and upskilling where necessary. We cannot afford to see our current, experienced cohort leaving industry because they consider the process to gain registration as too demanding or too laborious.

And we also need to find ways to attract significant numbers of new entrants into the industry, for which we will need to look at increasing the quantity of our related degree-courses and confirming the quality of provision. There is much to be done in 2026, but Architect Jan Duncan OBE foretold 10 years of chaos in relation to the new building safety regulatory system – I suspect she may well be right. But if we learn any lessons from Grenfell, it is that we should be doing the right thing, even when that might be a hard thing.

Building Safety Regulator Lack of Guidance

It seems there is not enough guidance out there from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to help applicants demonstrate that their buildings are safe. While we were at the Building Summit in early December, we noted that many organisations are struggling to achieve building ‘compliance’ due to lack of information. They are advised to look at ‘best practice’, but this is not easy to do as there are no decent comparisons around.

Delays on Government House Building Target

Apparently, BSR delays are likely to impede the Government’s housing targets according to a new report (published on 11th December). Whilst welcoming the increased scrutiny the Building Safety Regulator has brought to the design, construction and management of buildings in the interest of safety, the Industry and Regulators Committee’s report also warns that the delays mean the Government is in danger of missing its target to build 1.5 million homes by 2029. You can read more on this article in NHBC.

Lack of Skills Available for ‘Net Zero’

According to The Construction Index, the UK Construction Industry lack the skills to enable targets to hit ‘Net Zero’. Their new report states that the government will only meet its targets if there is ‘significant’ intervention in the workforce.

HSE/BSR

We saw on LinkedIn that the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) are looking for an ‘Independent Chair’ for their Building Safety Regulator (BSR) Building Advisory Committee (BAC). Are you interested? Could you contribute? If so visit BSR/HSE for more information.

Plans ‘Ditched’ for Vienna Runway

We read in Global Construction Review, that Vienna Airport (Flughafen Wien) has decided not to proceed with its planned third runway, citing a “massive increase” in its cost, a lack of support from airlines and a 17-month-long legal hold-up.

Graham to Build UEL Medical School

The University of East London (UEL) has appointed John Graham Construction as the main contractor for their £45m new academic building in Stratford. Building is scheduled to start in early 2026 and is estimated to complete in the Summer of 2027. For more on this article visit The Construction Index.

Health & Safety Event 2026

The Health & Safety Event 2026 is running from 28th - 30th April 2026. To register for your free pass visit H&S Event 2026. It is a ‘must’ for those of you interested in the latest in Health and Safety provisions that are available.

UK Construction Week(s) 2026

There are two UK Construction weeks in 2026, both look most interesting! To reserve your free place visit Registration.

• UKCW London: 12th – 14th May 2026

• UKCW Birmingham: 29th Sep – 1st October 2026