Building safety: Changing thinking and culture

At Sertus Live 2: Smoke Control in Action, Dame Judith Hackitt delivered a keynote that cut through the noise. Her message was direct:

Building safety isn't just about new rules – it's about changing how we think, behave, and work together.

As a manufacturer of smoke control products, we see this change happening every day. It’s not just about meeting standards – it’s about raising them. Because at Sertus, our mission is simple: safeguarding lives and property. 

From compliance to competence  

Despite new regulations, compliance gaps remain across the industry. Safety-critical decisions are still made without full oversight, and products are often installed without a clear understanding of their performance or integration. 

Compliance should be the starting point – not the finish line. But we continue to see products chosen for cost or convenience, rather than suitability or assurance. Competence means going beyond the checklist. It means understanding how your work – and the products you use – contribute to the safety of the entire building. 

At Sertus, we manufacture smoke control products that are designed to meet not just regulatory requirements, but real-world performance expectations. We believe competence starts with clarity – and we work hard to make it simple through clear product data, design guidance, and documentation. 

Systems thinking: Buildings as interconnected ecosystems 

Dame Judith spoke about systems thinking – the idea that buildings are more than the sum of their parts. Every product, every design decision, every installation affects the safety of the whole. 

At Sertus, we manufacture products that are part of life-saving systems. If one component fails, the consequences can be catastrophic. That’s why we focus on rigorous testing and transparent documentation – because safety depends on how everything works together.

Collaboration across the supply chain 

The Building Safety Act introduced the Gateway process – a framework for accountability at every stage of a building’s lifecycle. But legislation alone won’t close the gap between design intent and delivery. 

That takes collaboration. Manufacturers, designers, contractors, and regulators must work together to ensure that what’s built is safe, fit for purpose, and aligned with the original design. We’re committed to playing our part – not just by making compliant products, but by sharing knowledge and supporting better decisions. 

Product assurance and transparency 

Trust in construction has been shaken. Rebuilding it means being honest about what we manufacture, how it performs, and how it’s tested. Dame Judith’s call for better product regulation aligns with our approach: clear, assured, and documented products that help professionals make informed choices. 

We believe product data should be accessible and meaningful – not buried in jargon or hidden behind marketing. That’s how we help restore confidence in the built environment – and how we help safeguard lives and property. 

Culture change starts with leadership 

Culture change won’t come from legislation alone. It starts with leadership – with manufacturers, designers, and contractors choosing to raise the bar. 

At Sertus, we’re leading by example. We simplify compliance through clear design guidance, reliable products, and shared learning. We’re not just here to manufacture – we’re here to help shape a safer, more competent industry. 

Because building safety isn’t just technical. It’s human. 

Key takeaways for industry professionals  

1. Address compliance gaps head-on: Review your current practices and ensure that product selection, installation, and documentation meet both regulatory and performance standards. 

2. Focus on competence: Go beyond minimum standards - understand how your work and the products you use contribute to real-world safety. 

3. Think in systems: Recognise how every product and decision affects the building as a whole. 

4. Collaborate early: Work with manufacturers and other stakeholders from the start to align design and delivery. 

5. Demand transparency: Choose products with clear, tested, and documented performance data. 

6. Lead by example: Set high standards in your organisation – don’t wait for regulation to tell you what good looks like. 

Ready to lead the change in building safety?

Talk to our team about integrating compliant, performance-led smoke control solutions from the start – and help raise the standard with Sertus.

About Sertus

Sertus is a UK-based manufacturer of smoke ventilation products, dedicated to safeguarding lives and property through unequivocally compliant, expertly engineered, and reliably manufactured solutions. Driven by our vision to be the UK’s manufacturer of choice for smoke ventilation, we’re setting the standard – leading, not following – with products that combine innovation, performance, and quality. From early-stage design through to post-install support, we partner with contractors, architects, consultants, and developers to deliver smoke control that works – every time.

At Sertus, Make It Simple isn’t just a tagline – it’s our promise. We simplify the complex world of fire safety through intelligent design, clear guidance, and comprehensive support, helping our customers achieve compliant, high-performance buildings with confidence.

Learn more at sertus.uk. For media enquiries, contact hello@sertus.uk or call 01483 269999.