Building Confidence in Construction: Setting the standard for Non-combustible solutions

Posted on 29 Oct 2025

Raising the Bar for Modern Construction

In an industry driven by progress, the pursuit of excellence is no longer optional – it’s essential. As construction methods evolve and regulations continue to tighten, specifiers and contractors are being challenged to go beyond compliance and deliver a system approach which delivers genuine best practice.

According to John Duffin, Managing Director at Keyfix, this shift represents more than a change in regulations – it’s a change in mindset. “Non-combustible design isn’t a trend,” John explains. “It’s the foundation of responsible, future-proof construction. When safety, performance, and longevity are at stake, there’s simply no substitute for A1 rated products.”

At the heart of Keyfix’s Champions of Best Practice campaign is this very idea: that doing the right thing should be designed into a system which removes the ability to do anything else..

From Compliance to Confidence

The evolution of building regulations has naturally placed more emphasis on fire safety, but as a leader of this industry we have gone further – embedding a culture of prevention, not reaction. As John notes, there’s a clear difference between meeting minimum standards and setting new ones. “Compliance defines what’s acceptable,” he says, “but best practice defines what’s exceptional. The two aren’t the same. The most respected projects are those that exceed the baseline because they’re designed for certainty and as a system.”

A1 Rated Non-combustible systems – such as stainless-steel cavity trays and accessories – represent a new level of assurance. They remove the ambiguity around lifespan, durability, and fire performance that can undermine confidence in a façade or envelope system. At Keyfix, this philosophy is embedded in product design. Every component is engineered to deliver performance that lasts the lifetime of the building, not just the warranty period.

In façade and envelope design, a single weak link can compromise the whole system. Historically, many cavity solutions relied on tapes and sealants.

Non-combustible solutions eliminate that uncertainty. Stainless steel jointing systems remove the need for any of these giving peace of mind to specifiers, developers and installers and are proven to perform over decades without degradation.

Engineering Integrity Into Every Detail

Confidence is built through clarity. Every Keyfix system is designed to remove unnecessary complexity on site, ensuring that performance isn’t left to chance. Dry-fix systems, precise tolerances, and prefabricated components mean installations are quicker, cleaner, and more consistent. The result is not just safer buildings, but also risk free commercial outcomes – a key goal for contractors and specifiers alike. “Our approach is simple,” John says. “We engineer the risk out of the process. When you design for performance rather than repair, you build confidence – in your products, your people, and your projects.” This alignment between design integrity and construction practicality is what defines best practice. It’s a principle Keyfix continues to champion across every aspect of its system design.

Future-Proofing Through Design

Longevity and resilience are increasingly seen as essential measures of sustainability. A building that lasts is one that wastes less – financially, materially, and environmentally. Non-combustible materials contribute directly to that goal. Stainless steel cavity solutions are maintenance-free and recyclable, reducing both lifecycle costs and environmental impact.

John explains that this connection between safety, performance, and sustainability will only grow stronger in the years ahead: “True sustainability isn’t just about how we build – it’s about how long what we build continues to perform. Durability is a form of environmental responsibility.” By adopting non-combustible systems that don’t rely on tape sealants and mastics, specifiers and contractors are taking a proactive stance – ensuring their projects remain on budget compliant, resilient, and respected long into the future.

Leading by Example: The Champions of Best Practice Campaign

The Champions of Best Practice campaign is more than a message – it’s a movement to elevate standards across the construction industry. Led by John Duffin, it reflects Keyfix’s unwavering commitment to integrity, innovation, and accountability. “Leadership in construction isn’t about reacting to change,” John concludes. “It’s about shaping it. As an industry, we all have a responsibility to raise the bar.” By championing best practice and sharing insight through this campaign, Keyfix aims to empower others – architects, engineers, contractors, and clients – to embrace a higher standard of building performance.

Conclusion:

Building Confidence Into Every Project Confidence in construction isn’t a by-product – it’s a choice. It’s built through knowledge,collaboration, and an unrelenting commitment to doing things properly. By embracing systems as the standard rather than the exception, the industry can deliver buildings that are not only compliant today but futureproofed for generations to come. Through the Champions of Best Practice campaign, John Duffin and the Keyfix team are reaffirming what true leadership looks like – setting a standard for others to follow, and ensuring that every project built with Keyfix is designed for life.

 

Learn more about Keyfix’s commitment to raising standards across the construction industry. Contact our technical team to discuss specification support.