Following the fatal fire at Grenfell Tower the Government has announced that an independent review of building regulations and fire safety is to be carried out and published in a report “no later than next spring”.
Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of high-rise residential buildings, along with testing of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding found on similar buildings across the country, with many failing the tests set out in current building regulations guidance.
The review, led by Dame Judith Hackitt, Chair of EEF, the manufacturers organisation, will focus on high-rise residential buildings and examine; regulatory system around the design, construction and continuing management of buildings in relation to fire safety; related compliance and enforcement issues; international regulation and experience in this area. It will report back to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
“This independent review will ensure we can swiftly make any necessary improvements,” commented Jarvis.
“Government is determined to make sure that we learn the lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire, and to ensure nothing like it can happen again.”
Once the terms of reference for the Grenfell Tower public enquiry have been agreed, the terms of reference for the review will be published summer 2017, with an interim report expected before the end of 2017 and final report published spring 2018.
