Industry News


Government consults on reducing sprinkler height threshold for high-rise blocks


sprinkler systems need to be installed as a legal requirement. The consultation closes on 28 November. It is


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also seeking views on proposals to improve way- finding signage within blocks of flats and to install evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services. This follows problems encountered by tenants and firefighters during the Grenfell Tower fire. The changes would make sprinklers


compulsory in all new residential buildings of 18 metres or taller, down from the current 30 metre trigger height. Ministers said the move would make thousands of homes safer, estimating that 1,970 extra new builds would have sprinklers installed over 10 years at an annual cost of between £27m and £38m. The Housing Ministry also said it is establishing


a new Protection Board to carry out safety checks on all high-risk residential buildings in England by 2021. Up to £10m a year is being made available to fund the new body, which will act on an interim basis until a new building safety regulator is established in line with proposals in the Hackitt Review. The Protection Board will investigate whether


building owners are acting on official safety advice and putting interim measures in place for high-rises with unsafe aluminium composite material cladding. It will base its work on cladding data collected by councils. The new Housing Secretary of State Robert


inisters have launched a consultation on proposals to reduce the height of new high-rise blocks of flats where water


Jenrick said: “Residents’ safety is our utmost priority and we are making vital improvements to ensure buildings are safe. I have listened to concerns on sprinklers from residents and building owners and our proposals are an important step forward in shaping the future building safety standards. “The new Protection Board will make sure


building owners don’t flout the rules, as well as ensuring fire safety risks in other buildings are being addressed.” According to analysis of recently proposed


changes to building regulations, most respondents wanted sprinklers to be installed in all housing for vulnerable people, regardless of height. Some respondents also suggested lowering the height threshold to 11 metres rather than 18 metres. Many people suggested that 11 metres would be a


more appropriate threshold for other safety restrictions, such as the ban on combustible


Residents’ safety is our utmost priority and we are making vital improvements to ensure buildings are safe Housing Secretary of State Robert Jenrick


materials. Most people who responded to the review wanted the ban on combustible materials to be strengthened. They argued that it should not be limited to


buildings over 18 metres in height but should also take other risk factors into account and should apply to specialised housing, care homes and hospitals regardless of height.


CIH Scotland welcomes energy efficiency regulations for the private sector


The Scottish Government is preparing to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard for privately rented homes of EPC band E at change of tenancy from April 2020 and EPC band D at change of tenancy from April 2022. A consultation on Regulations and guidance to


support the new requirements included details on proposed exemptions for landlords where


permission to carry out work has been refused and where the cost of the work required to meet the minimum standard would exceed £5,000 for EPC band E with a further £5,000 cost cap applying to meet EPC band D. Under the proposals, local authorities would be


responsible for ensuring compliance with minimum standards and landlords failing to meet the standards could face financial penalties of up to £5,000. Ashley Campbell, Policy and Practice Manager at


CIH Scotland said: “We welcome the introduction of minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector. “People should be able to expect to live in a


warm, energy efficient home regardless of what tenure they are living in. Improving the energy efficiency of all of our homes will help to reduce fuel poverty and work towards meeting ambitious


climate change targets. However, we do have some concerns. “If the regulations are to be successful, the


Scottish Government must undertake a proactive communication campaign to ensure that landlords and tenants understand the new requirements. It is also essential that landlords have the support they need to comply including advice and information on what work needs to be done to their property and financial support such as low-cost loans if required. “Robust monitoring and enforcement will also be


key to ensuring compliance and it is unlikely that local authorities will be able to undertake this function without additional resources. We want to make sure that any new regulations are applied equally and fairly and that landlords who choose not to follow the rules are identified and dealt with accordingly.”


www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMM October/November 2019 | 19


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