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RIBA outlines further set of building safety reform recommendations

21 January 2025

THE ROYAL Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published a further response to the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel’s Phase 2 final report, duly highlighting what the Institute believes to be critical recommendations for improving building safety.

Identifying further opportunities for change, the RIBA has made several recommendations focused on regulatory, structural and operational issues.

Regulatory

*the idea of a single statutory body, much like The Engineering Council, to ensure that a comprehensive competence system for construction sector professionals is explored

*the definition of a higher-risk building should be reviewed and extended to include assembly buildings and temporary leisure establishments

*an holistic review of Approved Document B to be undertaken as a matter of urgency

*both staircases in new residential buildings over 18 metres tall above ground level should be required to function as firefighting staircases

*existing single staircase residential buildings over 18 metres tall to be refurbished with appropriate safety measures as ‘consequential improvements’ where a building is subject to ‘material alterations’

*a broader use of fire sprinkler systems across new and converted buildings is required where there’s a higher risk to vulnerable occupants

Structural

*the responsibility for the functions relating to fire safety should be brought under a single Secretary of State

*the proposed Chief Construction Advisor is a suitably qualified person (for example, a chartered professional)

*an organisational level licensing scheme for principal contractors should be created and brought forward

Operational

*independent research and development is required to restore faith in the construction product testing standards regime

*the role of contracts and procurement processes in defining the obligations and agency of the different members of the client, design and construction teams should be reviewed

*any safety-critical guidance should be freely available

*residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) need to be developed for all individuals who identify as (or are identified as) having the need for such in all residential buildings of 11 metres or higher

Read the RIBA’s initial reaction to the Phase 2 final report and also its further recommendations in full.

Clear case for further change

Jack Pringle, chair of the Board at the RIBA, said: “The full findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s report make a clear case for further regulatory, structural and operational change, alongside a fundamental shift in culture and behaviours. We remain fully committed to playing our part in this endeavour.”

Pringle continued: “As the professional body for architects, we’ve taken significant steps post-Grenfell to enhance training and education, including – but not limited to – our mandatory Health and Safety test and our Principal Designer Register. As recommended, we are reviewing these measures, ensuring that our members maintain the highest standards of professional competence.”

Further, Pringle observed: “To help deliver a comprehensive competence system for professionals across the construction industry, we suggest exploring a model similar to that run by The Engineering Council. This could take the form of a single statutory body for all construction professional bodies which should set processes that all professional bodies certifying the competence of individuals, including architects, must meet.”

Responsibility for fire safety

In addition, Pringle affirmed: “We fully support the Inquiry Panel’s recommendation to bring responsibility for the functions relating to fire safety under a single Secretary of State, supported by a suitably qualified Chief Construction Advisor, in order to aid co-ordination and accountability.”

Aside from structural and regulatory change, Pringle asserted that the RIBA supports the Inquiry Panel’s call for independent research and development to restore faith in product testing standards. “We also believe,” added Pringle, “that the role of contracts and procurement processes in defining the obligations and agency of the different members of the client, design and construction teams should be reviewed.”

In conclusion, Pringle commented: “The long-term efficacy of the construction sector hinges on making these evidence-based changes. It remains our duty to drive meaningful reform at all levels and deliver a built environment in which the public has complete confidence.”

 
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