Building Regulations are not fit for purpose
A review of building regulations ordered after the Grenfell Tower fire found the system is “not fit for purpose” and open to abuse by those trying to save money.
Dame Judith Hackitt’s interim report [pdf] into building safety called for an overhaul of the construction industry to put safety above cutting costs.
In a foreword, Hackitt said she was shocked by some of the practices she had uncovered. “The mindset of doing things as cheaply as possible and passing on responsibility for problems and shortcomings of others must stop,” she wrote.
Her report highlights concerns about increased privatisation of the building inspection regime leading to safety being compromised and a reduction in expertise within local authorities.
Dame Judith Hackitt is the Chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
This is a link to view the select committee meeting of 18th December 2017 here – http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/communities-and-local-government-committee/news-parliament-2017/fire-safety-session-17-19/
Sadly all too often Dame Judith Hackitt findings have been proved correct during on site fire inspection, fire risk assessments and fire stopping surveys of various types of premises.
Failings in building construction is not limited to high rise residential blocks of flats.
MB Fire Risk welcomes the interim report findings, in particular “The mindset of doing things as cheaply as possible and passing on responsibility for problems and shortcomings of others must stop,”
“Fire safety should never be compromised by poor workmanship or saving a quick funds. Responsible Persons are most likely wanting to better understand fire risks now than await Dame Hackitt’s final report.
Moving forward, we urge Responsible Persons to resist the temptation of blaming Building Control or others for signing off existing unsafe building projects.
Rather, engage ‘competent persons’ to update life safety fire risk assessments then reduce high or intolerable fire risks As-Low-As-Reasonable-Practical ALARP “. MB.
