Grenfell Tower Anniversary: Have We Witnessed Positive Change Since 2017?

The Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017 revealed the urgent need for change within the UK’s construction industry. Decades of errors and misjudgements had neglected the importance of fire safety measures, in turn endangering residents and properties alike.

In May 2018, Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety found that the regulatory system focused on high-rise and complex buildings was “not fit for purpose”. This led to 53 recommendations aimed at changing industry practices to create safer living spaces for residents, which in turn engendered the Building Safety Act 2022.

The necessarily lengthy Grenfell Tower Inquiry process revealed significant gaps in knowledge, regulation and practice, prompting an increase in fire safety training right across the industry.

It’s becoming more apparent that companies are now investing in internal training programmes to ensure that all employees – from on-site workers right through to senior management – understand fire safety measures and products. That understanding is formed through attending courses, Continuing Professionl Development sessions or toolbox training-style instruction.

Pleasingly, the industry is moving beyond the traditional ‘lunch and learn’ training style and proactively seeking educational resources for its teams.

Further, professional bodies including the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) have expanded their training programmes. The IFE and the Association for Specialist Fire Protection have issued Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications covering essential knowledge for those working in the passive fire protection sector.

This works alongside other accreditation schemes in a bid to ensure that all individuals involved in fire safety roles are qualified and competent. For example, the Government has supported initiatives such as the Building a Safer Future Charter, itself created to promote behavioural and cultural change across the industry. While the Charter began life by focusing on high-rise buildings, it has now extended its scope to cover buildings of all heights and construction activities.

Finally, the use of technology in fire safety training has increased, with virtual reality tools providing individuals with an in-depth understanding of fire stopping, for example, and its function in a fire scenario.

Industry concepts

With improved education comes the adoption of industry Best Practice and concepts. One prime example of this is the implementation of early engagement in fire stopping.

Traditionally, service penetration sealing was considered far too late in any given construction project. However, many contractors are now putting fire safety at the forefront of their projects by engaging early with key stakeholders to ensure the installation of fire stopping products is in line with the tested details and manufacturers’ guidance.

Such a collaborative approach – from design through to installation – ensures building compliance and adherence to the regulations.

In a recent poll, we asked our customers whether they had begun adopting an early engagement approach. The poll revealed that 74% of respondents had indeed done so, duly highlighting the industry’s commitment to enhancing building safety across the UK.

Ethics and responsibility

Post-Grenfell, the Building Safety Act 2022 has pushed the construction industry towards greater responsibility and ethical behaviour. In parallel, tighter Building Regulations have placed clear responsibilities on individuals.

For instance, the Building Safety Regulator now oversees the safety and performance of high-rise buildings. Duty holders (ie those responsible for any aspects of a project or building) and ‘Accountable Persons’ (who are directly responsible for the safety of a given building) must maintain the golden thread of information. This ensures that accurate and up-to-date information about  specific building is available throughout its lifecycle.

Industry professionals must ensure they meet the requirements of Gateways Two and Three at critical stages of a project’s design and construction. This ensures that any work carried out has been completed in a compliant manner.

For their part, building owners and managers must regularly inspect active fire systems such as fire doors and sprinklers. They should also engage with residents about fire safety and create clear instructions about what to do in the event of a fire.

Not adhering to industry regulations will result in more criminal charges, including fines or, in more severe cases, prison sentences.

Looking to the future

It’s fair to state that the industry’s progress is somewhat driven by Government legislation, but also that it highlights a cultural shift and a desire to prioritise fire safety. Formed to drive justice for the 72 lives lost, the Grenfell United Group has been influential in driving this change.

While it’s shocking to discover that the Grenfell Tower tragedy could have been avoided, the change we are seeing today pays homage to the lives lost and the wider community affected by this episode.

It’s crucial to acknowledge the industry’s efforts and the positive changes that have been implemented post-Grenfell. Many commendable companies, organisations and individuals are working together, sharing a common goal of making buildings safer both now and into the future.

Seven years on then, has anything changed? Plenty, but we must not stop here.

Craig Wells is Sales Director at Quelfire (www.quelfire.co.uk)