Build-Offsite Property Assurance Scheme

voestalpine Metsec’s Metframe light-gauge steel framing system has recently achieved accreditation under the Build-Offsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS) which has been created by Buildoffsite, LRQA, BLP Technical Services and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Aimed at investors, funders and homeowners, the scheme has been developed to provide assurance that properties constructed using innovative methods or modern methods of construction (MMC) will be mortgageable for a minimum of 60 years.

It covers the design, manufacture, construction and/or project management of such buildings, including building systems and their installation. It aims to instil confidence in the ability of MMC systems and methods used in the design and construction of properties to deliver structures which are of consistent performance, quality and reliability.

This is achieved through optimal transparency in the procedures used by the off-site providers who achieve BOPAS accreditation, which leads to greater accountability and operational efficiency.

The cornerstones of the BOPAS assessment are:-

• Competency – covering skills and continuity.
• Risk management – including project risk, departmental risk and factory floor health and safety.
• Safeguarding – incorporating post-handover communications with the homeowner.

The Buildoffsite scheme assessment covers, as appropriate to the organisation being assessed, the scopes of design, project management at design, manufacturing and construction stages, manufacture and construction.

voestalpine Metsec’s accreditation follows a detailed assessment process within this framework, covering the management of design, manufacturing and construction activities, with construction (installation) processes being undertaken by the company’s licensed sub-contract installation partners.

Having already successfully completed the BLP 60-year Durability Assessment by BLP Technical Services, assuring that Metframe provides a durable and reliable structure for in excess of 60 years, voestalpine Metsec underwent a subsequent gap analysis by LRQA to achieve full BOPAS certification.

This comprehensive 15-point analysis covers all aspects of the company’s operations pertaining to the design, manufacture, assembly and installation of Metframe, including:

• Organisation and Structure
• Competency Management, HR Function and Role Description
• Training and Developmental Plan
• Configuration Management
• Procurement and Subcontracting
• Risk Management
• Contract documentation and record control
• Document and project record control
• Design Process & Management
• Manufacturing Process, Competency & Management
• Transportation & Storage Management
• Groundwork Monitoring & Record Management
• Construction process and management
• Process Control, Performance, Monitoring and Improvement
• Internal Audit Process, Project Completion, Hand-over and Insurances

A further 2-day audit was undertaken to provide evidence of systems or processes to satisfy all the requirements for the BOPAS Guidance Document/LRQA Build-Offsite Registration Scheme.

Successful completion of these detailed and exacting assessments has resulted in the BOPAS accreditation.

Metframe Sales Manager, Tom Lench states, “Already pre-eminent in its field, Metframe is gaining more and more interest throughout the construction industry as developers and investors seek fast, flexible, cost-effective and sustainable means of building reliable, high-quality structures which deliver outstanding performance.

“The BOPAS accreditation provides clients with further assurance in the durability and reliability of the Metframe building system and we have already secured some excellent contracts as a result of it.”

Using heavy gauge studs, similar to load bearing SFS, Metframe panels are bolted together in a controlled factory environment to form panels capable of creating structures up to 15 storeys high.

It provides an extremely competitive building solution, with an accelerated build speed of under two weeks per floor for construction. With zero waste and a low carbon footprint, Metframe buildings are at the fore of sustainable construction.

Comprehensive information on Metframe can be found at voestalpine Metsec’s website; https://www.metsec.com/metframe.