Software failings hold up projects

Concerns over delays to Part L building compliance software.

A trickle of delayed projects could become a flood if the ineffectiveness and operational difficulties of the current software used for assessing compliance with building regulations aren't addressed.

This is the warning from the Construction Products Association, which has written to Building Regulations minister Angela Smith to highlight its concerns about the software package SBEM, used to check compliance with Part L2A of the regulations.

According to John Tebbit, the Association's industry affairs director, members are already reporting delays in the completion of non-domestic projects for want of confirmation of compliance. "Some building control inspectors are also telling contractors that, because they don't understand the new system, they should work to the old values." This has lead to concerns about the validity of any compliance certificates issued.

"Hopefully, we can sort out this problem while it's just a few early buildings that are being delayed. Otherwise, in three months' time, there'll be a significant number of buildings that will be delayed," he added.

The Association has called for more resources to be made available to get the software to a satisfactory level by the end of September. "It's a story of insufficient money being available too late, and one that we've warned about," said Tebbit.

The result is a project that's 12 months behind schedule. "We're now where we should have been one year ago. It's getting better, but it's still not fully robust and usable."

The problem is most acute in small- to medium-sized buildings. "Projects worth £20m or more will most likely specify their own software to determine compliance.

"The real issue is doctors' surgeries and shops, where this software isn't the only way to determine compliance, but it is designed to be the main way as it's free. The alternatives cost several thousand pounds."

The Department for Communities and Local Government promised no more money, but a spokesman said: "We are amending the calculation software, and are also meeting the chief executive of the Construction Products Association, Michael Ankers, to further engage it in resolving these issues."