Government sets out terms for building regulations review

The highlighting of tall buildings was flagged up in the terms of reference for the independent review of building regulations and fire safety, which were published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) in August 2017.

 

These include exploring whether the existing building regulation system is fit for purpose, with a “particular focus on multi- occupancy high-rise residential buildings”.

 

The review, which is being led by former Health and Safety Executive (HSE) chair Dame Judith Hackitt, will also:

 

• Map current regulations, guidance and processes that cover the planning, design, construction, maintenance and refurbishment of new and existing buildings

 

• Consider the competencies, duties and balance of responsibilities of key individuals within the regulatory system in ensuring that fire safety standards are adhered to:

 

• Assess the theoretical coherence of the current regulatory system and how it operates in practice

 

• Compare the UK building regulatory with international counterparts facing similar safety risks.

 

The terms of reference state that the purpose of the review is twofold: to make recommendations that ensure a sufficiently robust regulatory system for the future, and to provide assurance to residents that the existing regulations mean buildings are safe to live in.

 

The review, which will run in parallel with the work of the statutory inquiry into the disaster headed by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, will submit an interim report to the secretary of state for communities and local government and the home secretary in the autumn of this year.

 

The government has said that it will “work closely” with Dame Judith to identify whether any changes that are recommended in the interim report can be implemented while the review’s work continues.

 

The government has also promised to provide an initial written response alongside the report when it is laid before parliament.

 

The review’s final report will be submitted in spring next year.

 

Responding to the review’s terms of reference, David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation (NHF), said: “The Grenfell Tower tragedy powerfully demonstrated a systemic failure in building regulation and fire safety, so an urgent review of the current system is absolutely the right approach.

 

“Housing providers need to be able to put their trust in a solid regulatory system if they are to continue providing good-quality and safe homes for residents.

 

“We welcome the terms of reference for this review, from which immediate and long-term lessons must be learned.

 

“Housing associations will engage with the process where possible to ensure sustained improvement to the regulatory system and the safety of their buildings.”

 

The government also completed a series of tests of wall cladding combinations in August.

 

It was set to publish consolidated advice to landlords based on all seven of its tests.

 

The final wall cladding combination assessed as part of the government’s series of large-scale fire safety tests passed and meets current building regulations guidance, it said.

 

It said the purpose of the testing programme was “to develop a better understanding of how different types of cladding panels behave with different types of insulation in a fire.

 

“This is so building owners and their professional advisors can make informed decisions.”