Future of High Rise building regulation
The government has released a further consultation on high rise building regulation in June 2019. The report builds on the recommendations from Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety which was released in 2018, commissioned by government following the Grenfell Tower fire to make recommendations on the future regulatory system.
The new consultation proposes “fundamental reform of building safety requirements so that residents are safe, and feel safe, in their homes” and applies to buildings that are lived in by multiple households and are 18 metres high (6 storeys) or more.
The proposals are intended to improve safety and minimise the risk of fire in high rise buildings by:
• setting clearer responsibilities for those building or managing these buildings
• giving residents a stronger voice and better information
• greater oversight by a regulator
• tougher enforcement when things go wrong
The proposals will affect developers and owners at all stages including design, construction, post construction and thereafter ongoing maintenance. If accepted, it will have significant impact both in terms of increased cost at all stages as well as increased and ongoing work.
In addition, the proposals include a strengthening of the regulation of construction products
and sanctions to punish those who don't comply including criminal offences and penalties such as fines.
Alongside this the Home Office is also seeking evidence in relation to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 from the fire safety sector, those it regulates and enforcing authorities on the “current effectiveness and application of the Fire Safety Order to provide a regulatory framework for the ongoing management of fire safety in non-domestic premises and the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings”.
Posted on 07/04/2019 by Ortolan
