Latest News Mon, Oct 22, 2018 7:52 AM
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Government’s consultation on Approved Document B.
The aim of the consultation from Government was to clarify the official guidance by improving usability and reducing the risk of misinterpretation by those carrying out and inspecting building work.
The RIBA is disappointed that the limited scope of ‘clarification’ has not yet been met. The latest draft has gone some way towards providing a more navigable and useable document but there are significant areas in the guidance that remain fairly impenetrable, such as the section on unprotected areas.
It is expected that a much-called for further comprehensive review will take place with a lengthy consultation and evidence gathering process, but in the meantime leaving designers without clear prescriptive guidance and putting projects and future building users at risk.
Jane Duncan, Chair of the Expert Group on Fire Safety says: “It has been sixteen months since the devasting tragedy at Grenfell Tower and the public are still waiting for answers that will guide the industry."Although the consultation seeks to partially address a lack of clarity, it falls short of making any significant changes. A review of Approved Document B has been necessary for years and this simply isn’t enough to ensure that buildings are safe for the public.
"We are deeply concerned however that the further, more adequate review will be a lengthy process. We urge the government to resource this review sufficiently to enable a swift and thorough update so that the guidance includes the recommendations that we and others have been calling for.”
The RIBA Expert Group on Fire Safety set out four key recommendations for baseline prescriptive requirements:
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