Navigating the new Building Product Information Requirements (BPIR) can be a challenging task for manufacturers and importers of building products.

EBOSS and Building Confidence Ltd have self-funded BPIR Ready, a guidance tool that helps generate BPIR disclosure information. One of the common questions we encounter is how to efficiently create BPIR disclosure information for families or ranges of products that might share some similarities but differ in other critical aspects. 

Finding the right balance

The first thing to note is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to grouping products under a single BPIR document. The challenge lies in balancing documentation management with clarity and understandability by the users of the documents. Fewer BPIRs can be easier to manage, but lumping too many diverse products into one document could create confusion.

Key factors to consider

Building Code obligations

When contemplating which products to include in a single BPIR, the products should ideally have the same Building Code obligations. If they don't, you need to be able to identify the different code contributions for each product. For example, some building underlays may be suitable for both wall and roof applications. In addition to some common clauses, a roof underlay will also have obligations under performance clause E2.3.1 which relates to roofs shedding water — roof underlays provide a mechanism for water that passes the cladding to drain to an open space. As long as the BPIR makes the distinction clear, there is no reason why roof and wall underlays cannot be covered by the same BPIR.

Functionality

Another important aspect to consider in grouping products under one BPIR is functionality. It's generally not recommended to include products with different core functions in the same BPIR. For instance, a timber weatherboard and a timber structural post serve very different purposes and thus should have separate BPIRs.

Variants

If products have the same code obligations and functionality but only differ in aspects like size, colours, or orientation, they can generally be included in a single BPIR.

Manuals and installation guides

Products that share the same design and installation manuals can be good candidates for grouping under the same BPIR. This is because the guidelines for use are already consolidated, making it easier for specifiers and end-users to find what they need in one place.

Structuring your BPIR

Contrary to popular belief, all the relevant information doesn't have to be in the same document. The essential requirement is that the information should be readily available.

Tables and schedules

One effective way to structure your BPIR is through tables and schedules. These can help outline specific product attributes and serve as a quick reference point for specifiers. An example where this can be applied is insulation materials. Many insulation suppliers have a range of insulation products with combinations of R values, sizes etc. In most cases a single BPIR can be used with a link to (or even within the BPIR) a table giving the range of products. The advantage of having a table or schedule outside the BPIR itself is that if the product range is dynamic then updating the table is easier. Best practice is to have the table versioned e.g. given a date etc. so that people can verify the currency of the information.

Website sections

Another approach is to have a dedicated section on your website that lists all the products covered by a particular BPIR, including any associated warnings or bans.

In summary, while the journey of compiling a BPIR for families of products may be arduous, careful consideration of factors such as building code obligations, functionality, and information structure can make the task more manageable. This not only helps in documentation management but also aids architects and specifiers in making well-informed decisions.