‘Reform, Responsibility and Resilience’ under discussion at ASFP seminar

With a keen focus on regulatory reform, passive fire protection, legal responsibility and conflict avoidance, the event brought together leaders from across the built environment to share knowledge and champion systemic change.

Progress at the regulator

Neil Hope-Collins from the Health and Safety Executive opened the day with a comprehensive update on the progress of the Building Safety Regulator, now one year into its role as the Building Control Authority for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). Drawing from over 2,000 applications, Hope-Collins illuminated key compliance trends, while also addressing systemic issues such as poor application quality, lack of co-ordination across multidisciplinary teams and digital process delays. He issued a clear call for increased industry engagement and shared learning to help drive up standards across the sector.

Representing the Architectural Technical Leads Group, John Heaney offered a practical look into the responsibilities of the Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD). Drawing on his experience at ECD Architects, Heaney unpacked the challenges in demonstrating competence, managing compliance and fulfilling new regulatory duties.

His session highlighted the urgent need for scenario-based training, collaborative design workflows and clearly defined client responsibilities under SI 2023/911.

Gateway challenges

Will Pitt of Laing O’Rourke addressed the mounting challenges at Gateway 2 for HRBs, particularly so in the realm of passive fire protection. He pointed to misaligned design responsibilities, compressed project timelines and the all-too-common late consideration of fire safety.

Pitt’s message was a strong call to action: the Building Safety Act 2022 must serve as a catalyst for earlier and more integrated collaboration between design, engineering and construction teams.

Legal risk

Legal risk took centre stage as Tim Hillier, partner at Trowers & Hamlins, guided attendees through the evolving responsibilities of duty holders. In the wake of the Grenfell tragedy, Hillier dissected the intersections of CDM and the Building Regulations, providing real-world examples of contractual and regulatory risk for clients, principal designers and contractors alike.

Indeed, Hillier’s insights proved essential for professionals navigating the legal terrain of today’s complex construction landscape.

Louise Barr, deputy director at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, introduced the Construction Products Reform Green Paper. Barr outlined the Government’s full commitment to enacting every recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, signalling sweeping reforms in product safety, accountability and innovation.

This update carried weight for manufacturers, specifiers and regulators seeking clarity on future expectations.

Conflict avoidance

Closing the day, Martin Burns (head of Alternative Dispute Resolution R&D at the RICS) put together a compelling case for conflict avoidance and early intervention in construction. Backed by powerful international statistics and domestic Case Studies, Burns promoted wider adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution strategies, including adjudication, mediation and the Conflict Avoidance Pledge.

Burns’ core message (that unresolved disputes don’t just escalate costs, they erode trust, collaboration and reputations) resonated with the audience.

The ASFP’s London Seminar served to reinforce the sector’s collective drive to embrace reform, enhance competence and foster co-operation at every stage of the construction process.

As the industry continues to adapt and evolve, events like these serve as vital platforms for shared learning and meaningful progress.