In the wake of an interim report on fire safety in the light of the Grenfell Tower tragedy government officials have written to council chiefs setting out their responsibilities.
Offer Stern-Weiner, the housing ministry deputy divisional director has written to key figures at local authorities across Wales and England following the interim report recommending early consultation with the fire services when designing buildings.
Engineer Judith Hackitt, stated that the current regulations were ‘not fit for purpose’, and highlighted 6 broad but key areas where changes can be made in the review of Building Regulations.
These included a recommendation that consultation with the fire service should take place early in the process of designing and commissioning building schemes.
Stern-Weiner wrote that this consultation should ‘take place as early as possible’.
“In particular, local authorities would need the views of the fire and rescue authority before approving a full plans application under section 16 of the Building Act. Observations made by the fire and rescue authority that are relevant to compliance with Building Regulations should be given full consideration by the building control body.”
Stern-Weiner’s letter added that the government intended to consult on rewording Approved Document B – which gives practical guidance on complying with fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations – to make it easier to use.
The Royal Institute of British Architect’s (RIBA) last year slammed Hackitt’s interim report for shying away from ‘introducing immediate and effective changes’. Earlier this month a panel of MPs criticised Hackitt for ruling out an in-depth look at the rules governing design of electrical installations.
Her final report is expected very soon.
