The Chair of an
independent review into building regulations and fire safety has found that a
“universal shift in culture” is required to rebuild trust amongst residents of
high-rise buildings and significantly improve the way that fire safety is
assured.
Dame Judith Hackitt,
who was appointed by government to lead an Independent Review of Building
Regulations and Fire Safety following the Grenfell fire, has published
her interim findings.
Alongside her
interim report, Dame Judith is calling on the construction industry, building
owners, regulators and government to come together to address the
‘shortcomings’ identified so far.
The interim report
finds that:
- a culture change is required
- with industry taking greater responsibility for what is built - this
change needs to start now
- the current system for
ensuring fire safety in high-rise buildings is not fit for purpose
- a clear, quick and effective
route for residents to raise concerns and be listened to, must be created.
Chair of the review,
Dame Judith Hackitt said: "I have found that the regulatory system for
safely designing, constructing and managing buildings is not fit for purpose.
The current system is highly complex and there is confusion about the roles and
responsibilities at each stage. In many areas there is a lack of competence and
accreditation.
"While this
does not mean all buildings are unsafe, it does mean we need to build a more
effective system for the future. That is why I am today calling for the
construction industry, building owners, regulators and government to come
together to identify how to overcome these shortcomings together."
The interim
report sets out 6 broad areas for change:
- ensuring that regulation and
guidance is risk-based, proportionate and unambiguous
- clarifying roles and
responsibilities for ensuring that buildings are safe
- improving levels of
competence within the industry
- improving the process,
compliance and enforcement of regulations
- creating a clear, quick and
effective route for residents’ voices to be heard and listened to
- improving testing, marketing
and quality assurance of products used in construction
Dame Judith has
consulted widely in developing her interim report and will continue to do so in
the coming months before making her final recommendations.
She continued:
"I have been deeply affected by the residents of high rise buildings I
have met and I have learned so much from them. These buildings are their homes
and their communities. They are proud of where they live, but their trust in
the system has been badly shaken by events of the last few months. We need to
rebuild that trust."
The independent
review will now undertake its second phase of work – including targeted work in
partnership with the sector and other stakeholders.
A summit involving
government and representatives from the building industry will take place in
the New Year and a final report will be published in spring 2018.
