BSEE-OCT21-PG24 Fire Safety.qxp_Layout 1 14/09/2021 11:46 Page 24
BSEE Paul LeMare of Assent
new standards are being enforced across the sector in the hopes that we will see positive changes to how issues around fire safety are approached. But have we done enough to mitigate these risks? asks Paul Le Mare, associate manager at Assent
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The UK has seen an increasing demand for housing throughout the last decade, putting pressure on those in the built environment to deliver projects quickly and often within tight budgets. At the same time, we’ve felt great economic uncertainty which has seen planning departments shrink, while an ever- growing skills shortage leaves gaping holes in almost every trade in the sector, including building control. This causes congestion in planning approvals, delaying the planning process and resulting in broken timelines. All of this snowballs into pressurisation of the next design. And not only are we seeing shortages in skills but we’re also in the midst of a crippling materials shortage – owing to new Brexit trading rules and COVID-19 supplies coming from Europe – which is showing no signs of letting up. The combination of high demand coupled with tight supply is predicted to sustain elevated prices into the future. This has backed specifiers into a corner where they may find themselves basing decisions almost exclusively on cost or delivery timings, instead of prioritising safety or performance aspects. All of these pressures become a melting pot of toxicity, with the next potential tragedy looming over us.
Creating a seachange While creating more stringent
regulations is a required reaction to a tragedy as harrowing and public as Grenfell, my worry is that it’s not addressing the deep routed issues within our sector. It’s almost like
he full extent of the fallout from the Grenfell disaster is yet to be felt by the construction sector. Upon finalisation of the Hackitt Report,
FIRE SAFETY & SECURITY Unifying voices to achieve fire safety
bandaging a wound that’s already infected. If we want the industry to heal then we need to dig deep and create a sea-change across our systemic processes.
Fire safety is a complex topic but one that needs a blanket level of understanding across the industry. While building control holds the weight of responsibility, there needs to be a collective effort to ensure fire safety is considered throughout each and every project – from briefing, design and specification stages, through to construction, handover, occupancy and beyond. It needs to include architects, designers, contractors, maintenance managers and government, as well as open lines of communication with the fire service. This can only be accomplished by collaborative working and clear lines of communication.
We need to bring people together to share expertise and experience. Right now, the sector feels siloed in many places, with the pressure of a competitive market causing roadblocks to communication. But if we carry on like this, the wins will be fewer, and the losses could be fatal. Upskilling and attracting new talent to the industry, ensuring they are fully trained in fire safety issues, will play a crucial role in achieving safety standards. Part of this will mean the industry working in unison to change negative external perceptions. Young people need to see the building control sector as progressive and future facing. Often all they see are hard hats, high vis vests and traditional labour, when the reality is vastly different. We are making huge steps towards digital transformation by embracing innovative technology with processes such as BIM and CAD, opening countless possibilities for a range of different skillsets. This needs to be communicated at school and college level, so we can inspire the next generation.
We also need to address the gender imbalance by attracting more women into high level roles. Often, we see women leave the industry at a mid-point in their careers, which means they take with them all of their valuable expertise. Ensuring processes are put in place to enable women to continue their career path could have a significantly favourable impact on the safety of our buildings. It’s a problem that cannot be ignored. When it comes to material sourcing and material installation, we absolutely have to prioritise safety over cost. And while the market is facing real challenges, firms need to comprehensively revaluate both their subcontractors and supply chain. In my opinion, the driving
force to overcoming this problem is nothing more than education with understanding and good old fashion professional pride.
Unifying voices We’ve spent the last four years
working to establish lines of communication and positive resolve between the industry, industry bodies and government – an effort that has not been smooth sailing. In 2020, I threw myself into practicing what I preach and founded the FSBRG (Fire Safety Building Regulations Group) – an industry action group with the mission to unify the Building Control profession and raise standards in the built environment. The group currently comprises around a two dozen members, as well as guest attendees, including senior individuals from Approved Inspectors, LABC and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), just to name a few. We have been able to use the group as a vehicle for a collective, combined voice to reach the Government and regulating and professional bodies. The group presents a real opportunity to collaborate, learn and share best practice, find solutions and together, improve fire safety standards and practices across the industry. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that the industry comes together. I strongly believe that in any other sector, it is not uncommon for CEOs to have open lines of communication between one another in order to meet collective goals and learning. There should be no reason why this can’t happen in our industry. As an AI, I understand my responsibility in this movement, but this is something that can only happen when everyone agrees to work together, in order for us to never repeat the mistakes of the past.
24 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER OCTOBER 2021 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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