The false choice between speed and safety
For years, construction has been told that faster programmes mean compromises on compliance. Overlapping trades, rushed inspections and patchwork fire strategies have often been seen as the cost of meeting deadlines.
But this trade-off is no longer acceptable. In today’s regulatory environment, Building Control, fire engineers and insurers demand proof that compliance is not sacrificed for speed. The most successful projects are those that deliver both.
Where traditional methods fall short
Blockwork and plasterboard are slow to install and prone to sequencing delays. Blockwork requires curing and scaffolding, while plasterboard involves multiple layers, pattressing and skim coats. In practice, this means corners are sometimes cut to keep programmes on track, undermining compliance and introducing liability.
The absence of full BS EN certification for blockwork shafts further compounds the problem, leaving projects exposed to regulatory risk.
How panel systems change the equation
SpecWall and SpecShaft are designed to prove that speed and compliance can coexist.
SpecWall panels are A1-rated, with a minimum two-hour fire resistance to BS EN 1364. They are installed dry, with integrated service routes and no reliance on plasterboard or skim. This accelerates installation while maintaining documented compliance.
SpecShaft replaces blockwork shafts with a fully tested, A1-rated modular system, certified to BS EN 1366-1 and BS EN 1366-8. Installed in a single visit with no wet trades, it provides compliant shafts in a fraction of the time.
Case study evidence
At Victoria Riverside in Manchester, SpecShaft was installed weeks faster than blockwork would have allowed, keeping the build on programme while satisfying Building Control. At MAG 318 in Dubai, SpecWall enabled faster fit-out without compromising fire performance, reducing project delays linked to traditional wet trades.
These projects show that speed and compliance are not mutually exclusive, they are achievable together with the right systems.
The best projects in 2025 are defined not by how fast they are delivered, but by how they deliver speed without compromising compliance. By specifying tested, A1-rated panel systems, project teams can meet both regulatory demands and programme pressures with confidence.
Discover how SpecWall and SpecShaft can deliver speed and compliance for your next project: https://www.specwall.com/contact/
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