It’s only January but already we are seeing updates to the legislative and regulatory guidance centred on cladding and high-rise buildings, with the Fire Safety Act expected to come into force imminently.
On January 10, the government’s Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove MP, announced plans to make developers meet the cost of the cladding crisis. Within his announcement, he also insisted there must be fewer unnecessary surveys, an assumption that there is no risk to life in medium and low-rise buildings unless clear evidence of the contrary and a far greater use of sensible, risk mitigating fire safety measures such as sprinklers and alarms.
The government will also support updated guidance, PAS 9980 produced by the British Standard Institution, to help fire engineers take a proportionate approach to the appraisal of walls and avoid wholescale cladding replacement where safe to do so.
As part of the steering group that developed the new standard, the IFE welcomes the changes which give more clarity and consistency to how the rules should be applied and a clear framework within which professionals can operate with more confidence.
Not only was the new standard developed by drawing on expert advice from professionals across industry, but it also followed a rigorous development process, including a public consultation.
It provides much needed new guidance on how to carry out a detailed fire risk appraisal of the external walls of buildings where a fire risk assessment has identified the need for one. It maps out how to assess risk factors, as well as the mitigation steps that might improve the risk rating of a building via a holistic fact-based assessment of a building’s construction.
PAS 9980 does not contain ‘off the peg’ solutions to specific wall types and materials but is intended to enable a consistent approach to evaluating the fire risk when considering the external walls of buildings
Members will need to familiarise themselves with the new guidance which comes into effect on 31 January and replaces the government’s Consolidated Advice Note.
In the minority of buildings where valuers deem EWS1 forms are still necessary, the government will introduce an indemnity scheme for fire engineers and surveyors to give them greater confidence to exercise professional judgement. This PII scheme will include an audit process to monitor and maintain proportionality.
These refinements are just part of the way in which confidence in future building safety can be restored. Competency of the professionals involved is also a key part of the new regulations with the Industry Safety Steering Group publishing its third report alongside the government plan, which in its update on progress states:
“We want to see an industry that prioritises safer buildings, and ongoing, high standards of professional competence, and understands how to minimise the risk of serious failures. It must be normal to challenge and address poor behaviours and for firms to seek out partners and suppliers with a demonstrable commitment to building safety.”
Fire engineers have a vital role to play in all aspects of keeping buildings and people safe in the future. From designing the products and systems that will help to mitigate risk and protect lives, installing, inspecting and maintaining these systems to responding effectively in the event of incidents, our members are already helping to shape and deliver the best practice needed.
Through our continued work with partners and stakeholders, we all have a vital role to play in ensuring that lessons are learned, and best practice, innovation, collaboration, transparency and trust become synonymous with building safety in the future.