Optima Systems News

In the six years since the tragic Grenfell Tower disaster, the construction industry's approach to fire safety has faced rigorous examination, and sparked a series of legislative changes, most notably the enactment of the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act of 2022. These measures have substantially raised standards, contributing to a safer overall industry. As we approach the year’s end, assessing the industry's progress and its trajectory becomes a crucial endeavor, especially consi...

There’s no doubt the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act are driving major improvements in the construction industry’s quality and approval processes. Although the initial focus of the legislation is on high-rise residential buildings, it’s predicted to be rolled out across the entire sector soon, tightening fire safety regulations in hospitals, hotels, and commercial offices and we await the rafts of secondary legislation that will really redefine the regulatory landscape....

Although glass is a 97% recyclable material, end-of-life glass used in construction has often ended up in landfill rather than being recycled.  As the industry takes a more environmentally conscious approach, recycling and repurposing materials have become a major objective. Optima will look at what the industry is doing to utilize glass waste and why it is so important.   What is a circular economy?  The dwindling of non-renewable resources is nothing new, humans hav...

With buildings and the building construction sector combined now responsible for over a third of the globe’s energy usage, there has been a growing call for greater sustainability across the industry. Also, more and more people are concerned about the environment and looking for ways to reduce its impact. As a result, businesses around the world are listening to consumers and are joining the green movement. One way construction companies are changing their approach is by using more raw ma...

Fire safety in the built environment has become an ever more important design requirement in recent years. With a greater focus on testing and continuous product development, fire safety has never been more essential. From advancements in fire products and improved testing to changes in how people are approaching fire safety throughout the construction industry, demand continues to grow for safer, more reliable fire-resistant solutions. Optima will take a look...