NEWS


Fire Protection Association Jonathan O’Neill, Fire Protection Association (FPA) managing director, responded: ‘As you would expect we wholeheartedly welcome any strengthening of building regulations and look forward to seeing the details. ‘However we remain concerned about the creation of a two stream approach with the so called “Hackitt Buildings” being under a different regime than that which covers the majority of other buildings, including those where the majority of deaths and injuries actually occur. ‘We are similarly supportive of


a review of the height restrictions for combustible materials on buildings, but remain firmly of the view that combustible materials should be banned on all high risk buildings regardless of their height.’


National Fire Chiefs Council The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) ‘welcomes the announcements’, and had ‘been clear’ in submissions post Grenfell ‘that fundamental reform of the building safety system is desperately needed’. Chair Roy Wilsher said the regulator’s ‘roles and responsibilities’ would be ‘key to ensuring the future system can deliver safe buildings’, while Mark Hardingham, protection and business safety committee chair, was ‘pleased to see the impact the NFCC’s Building Safety Team is having in influencing the Minister’s announcement’. Gavin Tomlinson, NFCC lead for


automatic fire suppression systems, said: ‘It is a big step in the right direction that the Secretary of State has taken on board our evidence on the gap in fire safety for buildings between 11 and 18 metres and the benefits of sprinklers. Sprinklers should be mandatory in all new residential buildings from 11 metres (4 floors) and above. We welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement that he is minded to introduce this change.


‘I am also pleased to see a


review of the height threshold for the combustible cladding ban included in these proposals. However, NFCC remains of the view that even where buildings are currently lower


than 18 metres, it is still necessary to demonstrate that the external walls of the building adequately resist the spread of fire.’ Mr Wilsher commented: ‘There


is still more detail needed before we will be fully assured the new regulator will drive and deliver the necessary change. Government must be careful to ensure the new Regulator does not inadvertently create a two tier fire safety system or divert resources from other important protection work. ‘NFCC are disappointed that


the Statement did not go further and include measures to trigger reasonable fire safety upgrades over time as buildings are refurbished, as is the case in similar systems overseas. Insufficient provisions still exist to require retrospective changes to fire safety measures in buildings where they are currently inadequate. ‘As a member of the Independent Expert Advisory Panel, I am glad to see that the Panel’s consolidated advice note has now been published, and am pleased to see the appointment of a construction expert to look at external cladding to review remediation and timescales. It is unacceptable that people are still living in homes with combustible cladding; I have said for some time this must be urgently addressed. ‘Progress to date in this area has been unacceptably slow – a point made by the Minister in his Statement. These measures will go some way to address the “broken” system highlighted by Dame Judith Hackitt’s review. I am keen to see more detail as to how they will be introduced, implemented and overseen and when this will happen. This will help to provide reassurance for all involved.’ Mr Hardingham concluded: ‘We


welcome the inclusion of measures to address Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations in respect of building safety. We expect that in Phase 2, careful consideration will be given to how and why the terrible circumstances at Grenfell Tower were able to occur. Fire and rescue services do not design, build


or refurbish buildings, but when they catch fire and catastrophically fail, the responsibility to resolve the situation is laid at our doorstep.’


Fire Sector Federation The Fire Sector Federation (FSF)‘acknowledged and welcomed’ the ‘step change into action’, as this ‘has been a deep cause of concern’, and the ‘outlined steps’ are ‘helping move the whole process forward’. FSF members have worked ‘for over two years to improve fire safety by advancing standards and quality’, and focusing on the theme of ‘not marking your own homework’, it called for developing ‘third party assurance for people and products’, via ‘fast tracking third party certification’ through recognition in formal guidance, alongside using third party assured companies for products and services – including fire risk assessments. The announcements demonstrate that a ‘serious transition step’ turning ‘deliberation and advice into action’ is ‘now actually starting’. FSF chairman Michael Harper


commented: ‘Having called for a decade of change to prevent another tragedy and to help ensure we have a UK built environment safer from fire, I welcome and acknowledge on behalf of the [FSF] the government’s significant announcement and commitment to improve building fire safety.’


BAFE BAFE would be ‘responding to the consultation in the interest of determining evidentially competent providers for ongoing fire safety requirements of existing buildings’, chief executive Stephen Adams adding: ‘We encourage everyone to review the document [...] and to respond accordingly. It is extremely promising to see research into the existing built environment, something we have been calling for as necessary for some time. Improving the fire safety of new builds is vital, but it is just as important – if not more important, to make those responsible for existing buildings already inhabited appropriately manage their risk and action this.’


www.frmjournal.com MARCH 2020 9


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