22 COMMENT Christian Hale
BUILDING CONTROL: WHAT’S THE POINT IF THEY AREN’T ACCOUNTABLE?
Christian Hale, founder of contractor Hale shares his recent lived experience of – and frustration with – the variable service from Building Control Bodies, and proposes some solutions for the urgent improvement needed.
Extension to Golders Green Crematorium, London, built by Hale
A TOOTHLESS SYSTEM IS ONLY DRIVING INNOVATION TO FIND MORE CUNNING WAYS TO GET ROUND REGULATION
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
H
ow can Building Control expect to improve standards and apply regulation if they have no legal
accountability? They simply advise and assist their client to meet the standard, so is the process even worthwhile? And where can the industry innovate to improve standards? Since privatisation in 1997, I’ve noticed gradual changes in the Building Control process and service. Now I’m witnessing issues with increasing frequency, and increasing levels of frustration. At Hale, we engage with Building Control Bodies (BCBs) at all stages, not simply to tick a box but to add value for clients and fulfi l our mission to build lasting quality, ensuring
the wellbeing of our end users. A goal which, I believe, the whole construction industry should share. However, the process for enforcing regulations means that this goal has shifted. A toothless system is only driving innovation to fi nd more cunning ways to get round regulation, with some viewing them as a guide to be manipulated for their own benefi t.
RECENT MISGIVINGS
The industry is still reeling from the Grenfell disaster, but, as the inquiry continues, we still aren’t any further forward. The situation highlighted this very issue of accountability, but why is all the attention only on high-rise
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