Construction Innovation Hub’s draft rulebook ‘could be transformational’

The CIH said the ‘beta’ rulebook would support the implementation of the construction playbook (83 pages / 2.73MB PDF), which sets out key policies and guidance for how public works projects and programmes are assessed, procured and delivered. The guide is also intended to help both construction clients and firms in the supply chain adopt more standardised parts by using product platforms to deliver the UK’s future schools, hospitals, homes and infrastructure.

Graham Robinson, infrastructure expert at Pinsent Masons, said the rulebook (60 pages / 15.3MB PDF) “could be transformational” and “represents the next phase in the trend towards truly industrialised construction”.

The guide, which officials hope will speed up the adoption of platform approaches set out in the government’s infrastructure roadmap, covers seven topics: deployability; configurability; common, repeatable elements; defined interfaces; quality standards; structured approach to configuration; and openness. It also provides a framework to guide anyone seeking to develop and deploy product platforms.

The rulebook cites several case studies, such as SEISMIC, Bryden Wood’s Platform II, the Department for Education’s Gen Zero, NG Bailey’s M&E kit of parts and Mace’s High-Rise Solutions (HRS), as examples of proof of concepts and flagship projects.

Robinson said: “While still only a ‘beta’ version, the rulebook will help move forward the adoption of innovative construction methods to increase the proportion of work done offsite and in factories and boost productivity, improve quality and safety - and produce lower carbon and more sustainable infrastructure.”

Jonathan Hart, finance and projects expert at Pinsent Masons, said: “This rulebook is the result of major collaboration across the industry and aims to support construction clients, consultants, contractors, manufacturers and product suppliers in building capability and capacity to develop and deploy product platforms to meet demand.”

“This is the next stage of the transformational journey to industrialise the construction sector. Success will be the wide-scale adoption of the rulebook and further collaboration as greater understanding of the benefits of platform approaches are realised,” he added.

A series of consultation sessions will now take place with industry and government with an updated rulebook publication due in late summer 2022.