What Does the Building Safety Act Mean for Service Risers in the GRP industry?
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
The Building Safety Act represents one of the most significant changes to building regulation in the UK for a generation. While much of the discussion has focused on fire safety, duty holders and higher-risk buildings, the legislation has also increased attention on how buildings are designed, maintained and managed throughout their entire lifecycle.
One area receiving greater scrutiny is the service riser.
Although often hidden behind walls and access doors, service risers are critical components within modern buildings. They provide routes for electrical services, data cabling, water systems, drainage, ventilation and mechanical infrastructure.
Throughout the life of a building, these spaces require regular inspection, maintenance and modification.
The question for many designers, contractors and asset owners is simple:
How can service risers be made safer and more accessible for the people responsible for maintaining them?
Why Service Risers Matter
Service risers are often vertical shafts that extend through multiple floors of a building. They provide efficient routing for essential services while minimising the space required within occupied areas.
However, these spaces can present several challenges:
Restricted access
Working at height risks
Maintenance difficulties
Complex service arrangements
Long-term asset management requirements
Historically, many risers were designed with limited consideration for future maintenance access. As buildings become more complex and operational accountability increases, this approach is changing.
The Shift Towards Whole-Life Building Safety
A key principle underpinning the Building Safety Act is the concept of accountability throughout a building's lifecycle.
Buildings are no longer viewed solely as construction projects. They are long-term assets that must remain safe, functional and maintainable for decades.
This has increased focus on:
Access for inspection and maintenance
Safe working environments
Asset information management
Future adaptability
Long-term operational performance
Service risers sit at the centre of many of these considerations.
Why Riser Flooring Is Becoming Increasingly Important
Without dedicated flooring systems, service risers can be difficult to access safely. Maintenance personnel may need to work around services, navigate uneven surfaces or operate within confined spaces.
Purpose-designed riser flooring systems help create safe working platforms throughout the riser structure.
Benefits include:
Improved Access
Maintenance teams can access services more efficiently without relying on temporary platforms or ad-hoc solutions.
Reduced Fall Risks
Safe walking surfaces help reduce risks associated with open riser voids and maintenance activities.
Easier Inspection
Regular inspections can be completed more effectively when access routes are clearly defined.
Future Flexibility
Modular flooring systems can be adapted as services are added, modified or upgraded throughout the building's life.
Why GRP Riser Flooring Is Increasingly Being Specified
Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) offers several advantages compared with traditional materials used within service risers.
Lightweight
GRP flooring systems are easier to handle and install than comparable steel solutions.
Corrosion Resistant
GRP does not rust and performs well in environments where moisture may be present.
Low Maintenance
Minimal ongoing maintenance requirements help reduce whole-life ownership costs.
High Slip Resistance
Gritted GRP surfaces provide excellent underfoot grip during inspection and maintenance activities.
Long Service Life
GRP systems are designed to provide decades of reliable performance in demanding environments.
Supporting Safer Buildings Through Better Access
The Building Safety Act is encouraging the construction industry to think differently about how buildings perform after handover.
Service risers are no longer simply routes for services. They are critical operational spaces that must remain accessible, safe and maintainable throughout the life of a building.
By incorporating dedicated service riser flooring systems, project teams can help create safer environments for contractors, facilities managers and building operators while supporting long-term asset performance.
Looking Ahead
As building safety standards continue to evolve, the demand for robust, permanent service riser flooring solutions is likely to increase.
Forward-thinking developers, principal contractors and designers are already recognising the benefits of designing safer access into buildings from the outset.
RiserDeck® GRP service riser flooring systems provide a practical, durable and future-focused solution for projects where safety, accessibility and long-term performance matter.
If you are designing or constructing a residential, commercial, healthcare, education or infrastructure project, our team can review your drawings and recommend the most appropriate riser flooring solution for your application.
But we can't just stop here - by utilising emerging technologies we can make the built environment around us safety for everyone.
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