How carbon retrofit and improved building safety can be combined for greater efficiencies

Reduced central funding and the rate of inflation mean the local built environment is facing continued budget constraints, with the Local Government Association revealing that  councils in England face a £2.3bn funding gap in 2025/6, rising to £3.9bn in 2026/27.

At the same time, the introduction of the Building Safety Act (BSA) alongside the increased focus of the public estate to meet net zero goals, mean that cost pressures are only getting higher.

Significant investment is required to both retrofit existing buildings and ensure they are safety compliant. So, the question is, why not do both together?

The approach ensures that a building simultaneously achieves the long-term objectives of sustainable and safe construction practices

Kelly Crews, national head of decarbonisation at Willmott Dixon, told me: “Buildings that are both energy-efficient and safe are more attractive to tenants and buyers. Addressing both simultaneously can futureproof them for many generations to come, especially if it also includes repurposing of use, driving long-term value for property owners and occupants.”

Not only does it make sense to address both from a budget perspective, but the approach ensures that a building simultaneously achieves the long-term objectives of sustainable and safe construction practices.

So, what are the key considerations when considering carbon retrofit and building safety in tandem, and how can they be approached to create the best efficiencies?

Structural sense

Early discussions between client and contractors and other stakeholders such as fire safety engineers will help to align solutions. For example, the use of Rockwall slabs during fire remediation, which increases the width of the insulation, lends itself to the installation of triple glazing, increasing the operational carbon efficiency of a building.

Fire-rated windows and doors can also enhance safety and energy performance, while roof reinforcements can support both solar panel installations and seismic/fire resilience improvements.

The BSA mandates various fire safety upgrades, such as compartmentation, firestopping, sprinklers and fire/smoke detection systems. These involve accessing structural elements and service areas, which can be coordinated with retrofit measures like insulation and ventilation upgrades.

Similarly, integrating smart technologies for energy management is common in retrofits, and these systems can then incorporate fire safety monitoring and alarm functions as well.

Addressing both requirements at the same time also serves to reduce energy consumption through savings made on utility bills, resulting from greater operational carbon efficiency, crucial for publicly funded buildings.

Retrofit is golden

While the golden thread, otherwise known as a digital, up to date record of building information, is legally mandated under the BSA for higher-risk buildings (HRB), its principles are beneficial for all buildings, including retrofit projects. It can help to identify risk earlier – uncovering structural, fire safety, and retrofit challenges before work starts – thereby preventing costly redesigns later in a project.

It also ensures that refurbishments align with building safety and carbon retrofit over a building’s lifetime. This is vital as it ensures that energy efficient measures as they are introduced, such as heat pumps, do not conflict with structural integrity or fire safety.

With accurate records, building managers are also able to make informed decisions about necessary upgrades or renovations based on historical performance and changing climate conditions – something that is essential as extreme weather becomes more commonplace.

Two stage to support successful integration

With the public sector Procurement Act now in effect, when bidding for contracts, contractors will be required to provide a value-for-money proposition. So, when it comes to building safety and carbon retrofit, contractors will need to emphasise how their approach to integrating carbon retrofitting with safety measures can deliver long-term savings and efficiencies for the public sector.

It is vital that priorities and budgets are discussed upfront, so contractors can establish the time required and cost benefits of a combined approach to retrofit and building safety improvements. Optioneering at an early stage, for example, will ensure that the most cost-effective materials are able to meet both requirements. Whole-life costing can also be considered to determine the best balance of fire safety, thermal efficiency and maintenance costs.

Building owners and developers must find smarter, more cost-effective solutions to meet safety regulations and sustainability goals

Early engagement also allows organisations to involve key stakeholders, including carbon retrofit specialists and safety experts, from the start. This early collaboration aligns with the principles of the Procurement Act, ensuring that bids are informed by a comprehensive understanding of safety and sustainability needs. This helps to ensure that bids submitted in the second stage are well-aligned with project goals.

Kelly added: “Another key component is early and thorough resident or tenant engagement to communicate the process, to set expectations and be clear on outcomes alongside the work to mitigate any disruption.”

Looking ahead

The government has made it a clear priority to decarbonise and reach net zero by 2050. An obvious place to start is addressing emissions from the built environment. And,  when we consider the obvious public requirement for safe buildings, the case for a coordinated approach to addressing both is compelling.

Ultimately, buildings that are both safe and low carbon are not only a regulatory necessity but also imperative in both an economic sense and in terms of creating more sustainable, resilient communities.

As build costs continue to rise, building owners and developers must find smarter, more cost-effective solutions to meet safety regulations and sustainability goals. Integrating them isn’t just smart – it makes good business and structural sense.

Kingsley Clarke is head of Southern Construction Framework (SCF), South West, a joint venture between Devon County Council and Hampshire County Council