Aluprof Eases Gateway 2 Compliance

By Tom Cherowbrier - Major Projects Manager at Aluprof UK

Gateway 2 Compliance, introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022, is creating significant disruption across the Construction Industry. At this stage of the approval process, a complete and fully coordinated design must be submitted and approved before any building work can begin. This requirement represents a major shift from established practices where design and construction traditionally overlapped, allowing issues to be resolved on-site. The result has been widespread project delays, increased costs and logistical difficulties as developers and contractors adjust to the stricter regulatory environment.

Much of the challenge lies in the scale of information now required. Gateway 2 places a strong emphasis on detailed documentation and maintaining the ‘golden thread’ of information, ensuring that design intent, safety measures, and materials are all fully recorded. Many organisations, particularly smaller firms, are struggling with the resources and digital systems needed to meet these demands, added to this is a lack of clarity in how regulators will assess submissions, which has created uncertainty and hesitancy in moving projects forward. For an industry already under pressure to deliver more housing quickly, these bottlenecks are proving difficult to manage.

However, despite the frustrations, Gateway 2 is an essential step towards raising safety and quality standards in construction. The system was introduced to prevent unsafe compromises and poor record-keeping, lessons tragically underscored by the Grenfell Tower fire. By ensuring that critical safety measures are embedded in the design before work begins, Gateway 2 helps protect residents and provides greater accountability throughout the building’s lifecycle. Over time, the requirement for earlier collaboration, better coordination, and improved transparency has the potential to transform industry culture, leading to fewer defects, safer buildings, and stronger public confidence. Whilst the transition is undoubtedly challenging, Gateway 2 should be seen as an investment in a safer, more professional built environment.

Aluprof UK has demonstrated a strong commitment to aligning with the Building Safety Act 2022 requirements, particularly regarding Gateway 2 approvals. Their broad range of high-performance façade solutions, all 3rd party tested to relevant standards, with over 1,500 third party certificates of compliance, makes Aluprof the ideal partner. Their major projects team collaborates closely with specialist façade contractors to ensure that all necessary supporting documentation and compliance measures are meticulously prepared for submission to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). This proactive approach is crucial, especially considering recent challenges faced by the BSR, such as delays in processing Gateway 2 applications due to an outsourced delivery model and a shortage of in-house technical expertise.

Choosing Aluprof fire-resistant screens together with Glassprof glass provides a reliable and fully tested solution for safeguarding buildings while maintaining design flexibility. Aluprof’s systems are engineered to deliver high levels of fire resistance, compartmentation, and smoke control without compromising on aesthetics, while Glassprof glass complements these systems with certified fire-rated glazing that ensures transparency, natural light, and architectural freedom. Together, they offer architects, contractors, sub-contractors and building owners a trusted combination of safety, compliance, and performance for all construction projects.

Aluprof’s vertical integration benefits specifiers by ensuring consistent product quality, streamlined supply chains, and enhanced technical support. With in-house system design, manufacturing, and testing, Aluprof delivers high-performance aluminium systems that meet stringent UK and EU building regulations, including Gateway 2 requirements under the Building Safety Act 2022. This integrated approach allows for greater customisation, faster lead times and improved cost efficiency, giving specifiers confidence in project timelines and compliance. Additionally, direct collaboration with Aluprof’s experts ensures tailored solutions that align with architectural intent whilst enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency.

Current statistics show that Gateway 2 compliance remains a major challenge for the Construction Industry. Approval rates are very low, with only around 10–14% of applications being approved. For example, as of mid-2025, just 20 out of 187 new higher-risk building applications had received approval. Across all new build and remedial submissions between late 2023 and 2024, the success rate was similar at 146 approvals from 1,018 applications. The vast majority of applications—up to 75%—are being rejected due to incomplete or poor-quality submissions, while a further 20% are ruled invalid because they fail to meet statutory requirements or lack essential documentation.

Delays are also a serious issue, with the average approval taking around 22 weeks, far exceeding the statutory 8–12 week timeframe. In some cases, projects have been delayed by 40 weeks or more waiting for Gateway 2 clearance. Freedom of Information data shows that by early 2025, over 700 applications were still pending, adding to a significant backlog. These statistics highlight both the complexity of the new regime and the ongoing difficulties applicants face in providing the detailed fire and structural safety information required by the Building Safety Regulator.

Speeding up Gateway 2 approvals requires both improved application quality from Industry and greater efficiency within the BSR. Many delays stem from incomplete or poorly prepared submissions, so design teams must ensure that all structural and fire safety details are fully coordinated and documented before applying. Investing in specialist consultants, carrying out thorough pre-application checks, and engaging earlier with the regulator can reduce the risk of rejection. Better training for architects, contractors, and consultants on Gateway 2 requirements would also help raise standards and cut down on the high percentage of invalid or incomplete applications currently being submitted.

On the regulator’s side, resourcing and process improvements are key. The BSR could speed up approvals by expanding its review teams, streamlining the multi-disciplinary assessment process, and introducing clearer guidance on what constitutes a compliant application. Phased or staged approvals, already being trialled in some cases, may also help by allowing work to progress whilst certain technical details are finalised. Ultimately, a combination of better-prepared applications and more efficient regulatory handling will be needed to reduce backlogs, shorten determination times, and give the construction sector greater confidence in navigating Gateway 2.

Aluprof UK have been supporting specifiers in the UK and Ireland for over fifteen years with advanced systems that include, high performance windows doors and facade systems. Many UK and Ireland based fabricators and installers supply these systems and are on hand to offer surveys and cost analysis as to what improvements can be made with likely paybacks. Further information about the wide range of systems and specification support is available through the company website at aluprof.co.uk or for home improvement at aluprofliving.com and direct from their UK head office in Altrincham by phoning +44 (0) 161 941 4005.