44 INDUSTRY VIEWFINDER - BUILDING SAFETY BILL
REACTION After Grenfell, as after all of these incidents, there were accusations levelled from both within the industry and without, and promises were made by many to address the problems. For the Grenfell disaster in particular, the ACM cladding specified was just one of the failings that led to the events that unfolded, and as such, serious investigations needed to begin to understand the failings behind it. As well as a full public inquiry, led by Sir Martin Moore- Bick – which is still ongoing at the time of writing (May 2022) – Building Regulations quickly came under review, with widespread concerns as to the effectiveness of the rules in place, and their lack of enforcement. Part of this response, the Hackitt Review made a number of recommendations to reform what Dame Judith deemed “an industry that has not reflected and learned for itself,” arguing the need for a “radical rethink of the whole system.” Intended to apply to new and existing residential buildings of 18 metres and above, later amended to 10 metres and above, these wide-ranging recommendations included a new regulatory framework, stronger change control processes, new dutyholder roles and responsibilities, and a series of robust gateway points to strengthen regulatory oversight.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
In order to make these recommendations a reality, The Building Safety Bill was first revealed in the Queen’s Speech in December 2019, and later received Royal Assent in April 2022.
Set to take shape over the next 18 months – with secondary legislation necessary to uphold many of its provisions – the Act includes various step-changes to the way homes will be built.
On its assent, the Government released a roadmap of the changes to be introduced, including the initial moves over the next 12 months – such as the formation of a Resident Panel, changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) order, and additional powers for the regulation of construction products. These include the establishment of a Building Advisory Committee, the Mandatory Registration of Building Inspectors and Building Control approvals, and the new duties placed on ‘accountable persons’ to oversee fire safety in new residential construction projects.
It appears then, that there is a concerted approach to improving safety. Our research has revealed however, that things aren’t moving quite as smoothly as they might seem at face value.
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