NEWS


safe buildings; it is for them to decide on whether a more robust design- and-build process is appropriate, or whether it has to be stopped entirely. I think industry should lead on this, but if that leadership is not forthcoming then it can’t disappear into the long grass; it needs to be overseen by the new regulatory body. ‘My point is this: until people


recognise they are under an obligation to deliver safe buildings, and we have a system in place that holds them to account for that, then that’s what we have to work towards. I think [the industry’s] attitude to that needs to change, and I liken it to 20 years ago when we said that, ‘‘this is a dangerous industry, people will get killed working in construction’’; [the industry] has moved away from that and have changed their culture once. What we need to see is a similar journey towards delivering safe buildings for the public to live in, as well as safe workplaces for their employees to work in.’


Industry responses Ben Derbyshire, president of RIBA, commented: ‘Whilst there are elements of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review that we very much welcome, we are extremely concerned that it has failed to act on the urgent need to immediately protect life safety through a more detailed programme of simplified and improved regulations, standards and guidance.’ Former RIBA president Jane Duncan stated: ‘By failing to ban the use of combustible materials and “desktop” studies, or require use of sprinklers, the report’s recommendations will not deliver the immediate change that is needed to reassure and safeguard the public.’ National Fire Chiefs Council


(NFCC) chair Roy Wilsher said: ‘We have welcomed Dame Judith Hackitt’s determination to fix the system and the inclusive approach to the consultation process which the NFCC has embraced by supporting all of the working groups. Many of the recommendations in Dame Judith’s report are extremely positive, and they contain findings that we fully support. ‘Amongst these, we strongly


welcome a focus on clear and accountable dutyholders, new gateway points, digital record keeping, stronger sanctions and a proposed fund to support enforcement action. Clear dutyholders will help to ensure those who do not take their fire safety responsibilities seriously are easily identifiable and can be dealt with appropriately through the courts.’ However, the NFCC believes that


‘there are areas where more detail is needed, or further work is required, so we can fully appreciate how the findings will be implemented’. It was ‘disappointed’ on sprinklers, with its lead on sprinklers Terry McDermott stating: ‘We believe the report falls short in making explicit requirements for sprinklers in existing and new buildings, both high rise and others that are home to vulnerable people.’ BAFE chief executive Stephen Adams and chairman Douglas Barnett noted ‘we are disappointed that the opportunity to endorse the value of third party certificated competence for service providers has not been taken at this stage. There is a stated requirement for proposals from the construction and fire industries within one year, for a body to oversee the “delivery of competent people” and BAFE will work with all relevant parties to deliver this. ‘There has been a very detailed analysis of the failures in the Regulatory System, which contributed to the tragic Grenfell Tower fire’, and BAFE shares the ‘vision of having a comprehensive framework that actively promotes competence for all service providers in new and existing buildings’. BAFE welcomes ‘the strong


proposals to ensure that proper records are maintained for all activity that impacts on a building to provide accurate evidence for the Duty Holder, residents and users of a building. We will be considering the detailed content over the coming weeks. In the absence at this stage of mandatory requirements, BAFE strongly believes that third party certification, for both companies and individuals, is the best measure for competence.


‘We are committed to working


with the Fire Industry and the wider Construction Industry to develop comprehensive measures to support the need for enhancing skills. We support this activity across the UK. BAFE will be reviewing in detail the contents of the Report to decide what actions can be taken to support the recommendations’. Brian Robinson, president of the


FSF, commented: ‘The FSF welcomes the completion of the review and recognises the direction is consistent with the UK’s approach to general health and safety. We are pleased to see greater focus on the recognition of responsibilities and control of the fire safety building performance through the whole process from planning to building occupation and throughout the life of a building. We also support the creation of the Joint Competent Authority. ‘The report gives us a


direction of travel but it is now up to the Government to drive the recommendations forward, particularly those on regulation and testing, and to set and enforce high standards. Dame Judith has formulated a long term plan which will take time to achieve. The lack of an interim arrangement and the need for substantial further work does not give confidence in an immediate or long term outcome which will provide residents with the reassurance they need. ‘We are concerned that the


proposals do not go far enough to ensure the fitness for purpose of designs, materials, products and building processes. The industry needs direction and this is just as important for contractors, sub-contractors and facility managers working on site every day as it is for members of professional institutions. ‘While we welcome the


recognition that the industry should take responsibility for developing suitable guidance and standards, the challenge is not for the construction sector alone. We believe that it is vital for the wider fire sector to be significantly involved in any arrangements and will collaborate widely to help develop the far-reaching solutions required to solve this highly complex problem.’


www.frmjournal.com JUNE 2018 7


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