A consultation to simplify the fire regulations had been planned for this summer, but the decision is now being reviewed the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) told Construction Manager.
The department has been working on changes to Approved Document B – the accompanying document covering fire following a survey of professionals in 2016.
The research found that users wanted the approved document to be clearer and easier to use and more prescriptive. More than 300 professionals working in the sector responded to the research, which was carried out for DCLG by NBS.
The complexity, understandability and whether Building Regulations are fit for purpose will be examined as part of the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire.
A DCLG spokesman said: “The Grenfell Tower police-led investigation is underway, but it will be some time before it is fully understood how the fire started or why it took hold in the way it did.
“The government has acted to improve fire regulation and safety, including the recommendations made by the coroner following the Lakanal House fire. The final recommendation concerned simplification of fire safety guidance, and this work was underway, with a consultation due to be published this summer.
“Fire safety requirements are complex issues and our priority has been that we have high standards. A great deal of work has been completed, including commissioning and undertaking research to support the planned consultation. Clearly, in light of this tragic event, we need to reflect on whether this consultation is the correct next step to take. We will confirm our approach shortly.”
The NBS research said that even heavy users think the Approved Document B was complex and difficult to understand. It also said that users favoured prescriptive rather than non-prescriptive guidance.
The report said: “Those in favour of prescriptive guidance believe it will increase certainty about compliance. It will make the criteria for the decisions of Building Control officers and approved inspectors transparent.
“It should mean fewer disagreements between Building Control and those seeking to comply. Some people, including Building Control officers, describe a ‘minimum requirement’ for ‘standard’ or common situations.
“Indeed, 62% of building control officers/approved inspectors strongly agree that the ADs set out the minimum standards. Many users would like the ADs to set out, more clearly, what these minimum standards are.”
The research report added: “Some voiced concerns that without a clearly defined minimum standard, some people’s interpretation of guidance leads to lower quality buildings.”
The full research can be found here.
Image: Metropolitan Police
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It would be useful to see the proposed Part B Consultation which is now being ‘reviewed’- it would show a ‘direction of travel’. Especially if it were to reduce regulation. Note the NBS research speaking of uncertainty/ lack of clarity/ wish for MORE prescription.
Yet again people have to die before concerns are addressed.
There will be scapegoats of course- those who specified (or didn’t) the ‘right’ material; suppliers; (unqualified?) ‘designers’/ installers/ ‘inspectors’ …
It took ages to ‘restore confidence’ after Ronan Point- who will trust us now?