The UK construction services and building material sector is one of the UK’s major industries. Construction activity itself contributes around 10% of GDP. Ranking second in Europe, with 15.3% of output, and fifth in the world with over 250000 firms and 2.1 million employees, the sector is a major supplier to key Government investment programmes such as hospitals and infrastructure. The industry has been enjoying a period of growth from strong upward trend in commercial construction projects as well as public sector contracts. British Standards and Codes are internationally recognised and form the basis of construction standards and practice in many countries.