BSR to lead on “fundamental review” of Building Regulations guidance

Rayner made the announcement during her opening speech prefacing the House of Commons debate on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report produced by Sir Martin Moore-Bick and his colleagues.

Two major reports have highlighted the need for change. The document produced subsequent to Dame Judith Hackitt’s 2018 Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety referenced the Approved Documents as being “complex, ambiguous and not user-friendly” and recommended simplifying them (as well as making them digital in form).

The aforementioned Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report echoed this sentiment, emphasising the need for continuous review and regular updates to ensure guidance remains both relevant and effective.

Further, the Building Safety Regulator’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 commits to addressing the long-standing issues with the Approved Documents.

Core focus

The review process itself will explore how to make the guidance easier to understand and use, regularly updated to keep pace with new technologies and practices and more accessible, notably so for SMEs.

The key goal is to ensure that everyone who uses the guidance can rely on it to be clear, accurate and practical. The result of the process will be safer, higher-quality buildings and greater confidence in the building safety system itself.

The Building Safety Regulator will be supported by individuals with expertise in architecture, Building Control, housebuilding and digital and technical issues. It will also gather feedback from residents, industry professionals and Government departments to ensure the review reflects everyone’s views.

In terms of what happens next, the Building Safety Regulator will establish a Review Panel. The process will involve agreeing on the latter’s terms of reference, appointing a chair to lead its activities and selecting Review Panel members to assist in fulfilling its scope and objectives.

Further detail is going to be announced in due course.