UKCA Deadline Moved But Testing Still Essential

products, as there are only a handful of UKASaccredited testing facilities in the UK.

Accredited testing to enable UKCA marking can only be issued by an approved body listed on the UK government’s database. Under the UK Construction Products Regulation, from 30 June 2025, manufacturers of structural timber fasteners and fixings within the scope of the UK Designated Standard BS EN 14592 must successfully complete the testing process by a UK based laboratory for any product to be placed on the UK market. This also applies to any products undergoing a chance in specification.

Ben Sharples, (pictured) Commercial Lead at BM TRADA and sister company to Warringtonfire, said: “UKCA marking is very important for the construction industry, as it symbolises that the product being used conforms to the relevant standard and is a mark of integrity. It is very important that fasteners and fixings manufacturers do not get lulled into a false sense of security with this extended deadline on UKCA marking.

For instance, fasteners and fixings that have a change in design or coatings, will also need to be re-tested to gain the UKCA marking and confirm their stated performance.”

To help accommodate the rush for testing, Warringtonfire has launched its state-of-theart Fastener Testing Laboratory, located in High Wycombe. The laboratory can undertake assessments of performance for structural timber fastener and fixing products, so that manufacturers can UKCA mark them to BS EN 14592. The facility includes a universal testing machine for compression and tensile testing, a series of bespoke testing rigs, and conditioning rooms for structural timber samples.

Although the deadline for the UKCA certification process has been pushed forward to 30 June 2025, manufacturers of structural timber fasteners and fixings are being told to start now with getting products tested amidst a shortage of approved testing facilities in the UK. The advice, from Warringtonfire, a leading testing, inspection and certification company, warns that manufacturers who opt to wait run the risk of finding themselves with nowhere to test their

Intrastack Climb

Intrastack has introduced its panellised light gauge steel frame system as a solution for The Heights, with the project completed in only 12 weeks. In busy urban environments, construction projects often face numerous challenges, from tight spaces and limited access to increased environmental impact and the need for sustainable solutions. The Heights, Greenwich, a development of 48 new homes for private sale, was no exception.

With the site located on a former car park, adjacent to a quarry, a train line and existing residential dwellings, the project required a flexible approach to overcome these obstacles. The Intrastack system benefited the site's logistics by providing planned deliveries of exact quantities, with minimal vehicle movements required. While the tight site layout posed challenges, Intrastack's easy-to-stack and store components made on-site storage and assembly efficient and straightforward.

In terms of waste reduction, the Intrastack system ensured exact quantities were made and delivered, with the efficient cut-to-length and panellisation process resulting in minimal waste both on and offsite.

“There are only a few UKAS-accredited bodies in the UK that are able to test fasteners and fixings, of which Warringtonfire is one of them, that will then allow you to go on and achieve UKCA certification. Manufacturers need to be aware that any products on the UK market after the June 2025 will need to have this testing completed. This goes for products undergoing a change in their specification too.

The organisation will offer a range of geometric and mechanical testing procedures for dowel type fasteners from a particular group of structural timber fixings, comprising of nails, screws, staples, dowels and bolts. The laboratory can also test steel fixings used to create joints between timber components or to attach other materials to timber. UKCA certification became mandatory for all new construction products placed on the market in Great Britain as of 1 January 2021, as the UK transitions away from the EUrecognised CE Marking. The original cut-off date for UKCA marking for all applicable construction products placed on the GB market was 1 January 2023, before being pushed to the new date in 2025.

Source: www.warringtonfire.com

Intrastack Business Director, Andy Higson, said: “The Heights showcases the true potential of modern methods of construction (MMC) in addressing urban construction challenges. The project has proven that we can provide clients with high-quality construction solutions. The scheme was originally designed as a traditional RC frame, however, following an appraisal of offsite options we identified the Intrastack panellised light gauge steel frame system as a solution.

"The Intrastack system minimised disruption to the local neighbourhood through reduced site traffic. The efficient delivery, assembly and waste management processes truly set Intrastack apart as a viable solution for the way we build new homes in the future.

The system was delivered in fewer loads and easily stacked and stored on the site which is tight for space. Concrete deliveries were halved, and because of the way the frame is manufactured and delivered the amount of waste from site has also been significantly reduced.”

The steel-based system allowed for a 50% reduction in concrete deliveries. The Intrastack solution also helped to elevate the development's specifications, with a steel frame system that has the potential to deliver an impressive U-Value of 0.14W/m2K when specified in conjunction with other energy-efficient building materials.

Source: www.intrastack.co.uk