FPA warns against weakening Building Control oversight for telecoms cabling works

Responding to the Government consultation entitled ‘Improving Proportionality and Building Safety Outcomes in Building Control: Telecommunications Work’, the FPA has highlighted concerns from its membership that penetrations through fire-resisting construction are frequently poorly managed and inadequately reinstated. The organisation has stated that any relaxation of oversight could increase the risk posed to life and undermine fire compartmentation.

While recognising the intention to improve proportionality, the FPA has cautioned that current problems stem not from excessive regulation, but from a lack of assurance that work is competently completed.

In its consultation response, the FPA explained: “Building Control procedural requirements and the drilling of holes for anything, including fibre optic cabling, are two separate issues. The procedural requirements ought to guarantee the fire safety protection measures are compliant. If they do not, then they are the wrong requirements.”

The FPA has noted that even minor works can present serious risks where fire-resisting elements are breached. “There is the potential for the spread of fire or smoke through deficient fire-protected structure, which may lead to a risk of death or serious injury.” FPA members “generally view the risk from uncontrolled drilling and inadequate fire stopping as high.”

Lack of reliable information

A key concern raised by the FPA is the lack of reliable information available to installers. “In many buildings, accurate and up-to-date ‘as-built’ drawings are not readily available, making it difficult for installers or ‘Responsible Persons’ to confirm whether a wall is fire-resisting or to verify its original level of protection”. This uncertainty can result in breaches being left inadequately sealed and remaining undetected for long periods of time.

The FPA has also warned that reducing notification or approval requirements could render unsafe works invisible to enforcing authorities. “There is a very clear risk of works being permitted under dispensations that allow them to become invisible to enforcing authorities.” The FPA has also noted that this could remove the requirement to consult Fire and Rescue Authorities on material changes to occupied premises.

Drawing on lessons learned from previous fatal fires, the FPA has stressed that breaches in compartmentation can have catastrophic consequences, duly citing the 2009 Lakanal House fire (where “the systematic deconstruction of fire resistance of the building over time and multiple refurbishments led to fire and smoke spreading horizontally and vertically”).

Survey feedback from FPA members strongly opposes any blanket dispensation for fibre optic cabling works, with the FPA’s response reporting that “most felt it would not be appropriate to reduce or remove Building Control procedures for drilling holes for fibre optic cabling, even with assurances that safety would be maintained”, with many members emphasising that “any penetration through fire-resisting barriers requires proper controls, documentation and oversight.”

Competence, assurance and traceability

The FPA has argued that any proportionate approach must focus on competence, assurance and traceability. Members have highlighted the importance of “mandatory use of tested and approved fire stopping products,” clear records of work and the effective handover of information to building owners and ‘Accountable Persons’.

Ultimately, the FPA concluded that weakening procedural safeguards without robust alternative controls would be unjustified. The FPA’s consultation response contains the warning: “It’s not reasonable to presume, without reliable evidence, that work affecting fire protection will be carried out to an appropriate standard.”

*Further details related to the consultation can be found by accessing the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s website