FSF launches Approved Document B survey

The Fire Sector Federation (FSF) has intensified its long-running campaign for a review of Approved Document B in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Since 2012, the Fire Sector Federation (FSF) has been working to shape future policy and strategy related the UK Fire Sector.

Over the last few months, the FSF has been developing a survey to understand the fire and construction industries’ views about the future of Approved Document B (Fire Safety) and is now releasing that survey.

The FSF commissioned NBS Research, an independent research organisation, in March 2017, to conduct the research that is carried out in accordance with the Market Research Society Code of Conduct. Along with a 12-person strong Steering Group, the FSF planned for its launch in June 2017.

Given recent events, this research has taken on an additional importance and poignancy. The FSF knows that this is a sensitive time; however, it believes this survey will be used as an important and collective tool to gather specific feedback and views on the practical guidance in Approved Document B to meet the fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations in England.

The survey findings will be analysed by NBS and the FSF. It will form the basis of a submission to the DCLG to help those responsible for making sure Building Regulations and AD B are as effective as possible. Details of the survey can be found here.

The Fire Sector Federation has offered to assist the Government after it announced a review of building regulations and fire safety for high-rises. It is calling on Government to listen to the experience and expertise of the Federation’s membership, who can provide a pan-industry view of the systemic breakdown of fire safety regulation and propose recommendations on possible solutions.

The Fire Sector Federation brings together 64 organisations from the UK’s multi-billion pound fire industry. Membership includes the fire and rescue service, the fire industry sector (involving representative trade associations and main companies providing active and passive fire protection products), local authority building control and global insurers.

It wants Government to listen to the right people; those who can offer expertise from across the entire fire and built environment, enabling them to consider the whole picture and ensure fire safety is given due and proper consideration throughout the life cycle of UK building stock.

Paul Fuller, Chairman of the Fire Sector Federation, said: “We are gravely concerned in particular about the whole design, specification, supply chain and construction process.

“The system is inherently fragmented; meaning decisions about design strategies, products, techniques, certification, competency and auditing, amongst others, are made in a disjointed and often ineffective and inconsistent manner, with less regard to fire safety than should be the case.

“At the moment we see too many fire experts each day making snapshot comments without true consideration of the whole picture. The FSF is the only representative organisation that brings together all of the fire sector in one place, as well as like organisations in other sectors across the built environment and responsible authorities.

“The Federation has made an offer to Government to assist. It is calling for Government to be proactive in helping to develop the most appropriate mix of solutions to make sure a tragedy such as Grenfell Tower can never happen again."