Building Regulations review NEWS
the existing regulatory system is not fit for purpose. The FSF has long expressed concern about the current system of fire safety regulation and enforcement and the clear need to define competency requirements for all professionals involved. ‘We strongly support the call
for clearly defined responsibility throughout a building’s lifecycle and for the establishment of formal accreditation and raised levels of competence for all those engaged in fire prevention within the built environment. The FSF has been working to develop a broad competency framework and we look forward to working with all stakeholders to develop a robust and coherent system to ensure that a joined up system for qualification can be established.’ President Brian Robinson, noted that the FSF ‘also recognises the need for a change in culture’, adding: ‘The FSF commends the important work undertaken by Dame Judith and her review team in so clearly identifying the failings within the system and fully endorses Dame Judith’s call for significant culture change across the industry. ‘However, we have concerns
about how the wider fire and construction sectors can be brought together to implement the recommended change of approach and look forward to discussions at the forthcoming summit in January. Significant co-ordination and clear leadership will be required to take forward the recommendations and ensure that the silos which exist across the industry are completely broken down. ‘The Federation believes
there is a pressing need for a National Fire Safety Agency that can address fragmentation and take into account input from all the professionals involved in ensuring the fire safety of our built environment. Such an Agency with wide representation from across the fire and construction sectors would fill the gap that so clearly exists at the national level for a single
use of resources for enforcers, building owners and most importantly the occupants. ‘We look forward to working with
partners on ways that all parties in the system can acquire and maintain competence, including how we can support the skills of fire and rescue staff nationally. The interim report provides a robust steer for the sector, and demonstrates that Dame Hackitt is taking a thorough evidence- based approach to this review. ‘I am pleased to see the direction
responsible authority to act as a centre of expertise and advice.’
NFCC The NFCC ‘welcomed the findings’, with chair Roy Wilsher stating that it was ‘encouraging that the recommendations reflect many key issues highlighted by fire and rescue services’, and adding: ‘The NFCC has worked closely with Dame Hackitt and her team since July, and has contributed to discussion and debate at many forums. This has complemented our written evidence which reflected the views of fire and rescue services across England and Wales.’ On the recommendations, the NFCC highlighted the ‘significant fire safety matters that fire and rescue services up and down the country are concerned about’, and ‘chief among these’ welcomed the recommendation to ‘significantly restrict the use of desktop studies to approve changes to cladding and other systems’. It agrees ‘the use of desktop studies is not properly managed or controlled, and we’re pleased to see the review provide a strong stance on this’. Mr Wilsher continued: ‘I’m pleased the report has called for a fundamental cultural shift in the sector, and outlined that responsibility for ensuring correct building standards rests with those who commission, design and build. Allowing buildings to be built incorrectly at the outset, and then relying on enforcement after the fact, is not a safe or efficient
of travel signalled [in December]. The NFCC looks forward to engaging further with the review, including on any ways the NFCC and fire and rescue services can help to address the areas of concern that have been highlighted.’ The NFCC also welcomed
the ‘strong messages’ relating to competence, having worked with the industry to ‘develop a competency framework to ensure that fire safety officers and fire engineers have the right skills, which can also be applied to fire safety advisors and risk assessors’.
LFB London Fire Brigade ‘welcomed’ the report, calling it a ‘first step’ towards ‘making buildings safer’, with the brigade stating that it ‘continues to urge Londoners to ensure they know the escape plan for their building and what to do if a fire breaks out’. Dan Daly, assistant commissioner
for fire safety, stated: ‘The interim report outlines the core areas where change is needed to make buildings safer and save lives. We are pleased that Dame Judith Hackitt’s interim report has taken on board many of the issues raised by the Brigade’s fire safety experts; things the Brigade has been saying for some time about ensuring that a building’s design, construction and maintenance are fit for purpose. ‘It took a tragedy for everyone
to take fire safety seriously and listen to what the Brigade has been saying for years. Whilst the direction of travel signalled by Dame Judith
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