GLA calls for new rules for timber frame

The Greater London Assembly has called for the partial occupation of half built timber framed schemes to be banned until the whole scheme has been completed and signed off as safe.

The call is one of a number of conclusions in the GLA’s investigations into tall and timber framed buildings in London. The investigation followed the death of six people at Lakanal House in Camberwell in June 2009 and two fires on half built timber framed developments in Camberwell in November 2009 and Peckham in January 2010.

The GLA has made a number of other recommendations affecting half constructed timber frame developments. These include;

• Reviewing the current fire safety guidance and what actually happens onsite.
• More building control inspections of timber framed developments with a minimum number of vists.
• Surveillance of sites during non working hours
• A requirement for building control to notify the fire brigade of large timber frame sites

The report also makes a number of recommendations to improve the fire safety of completed, high rise buildings. These include,

• Fire risk assessments of completed buildings should only be carried out by accredited assessors with a minimum standard of competence.
• Residents should be informed of the outcome of fire risk assessments.
• Social housing landlords should ensure residents know what to do in a fire
• The communities department should require social landlords to publish a full register of fire risk assessments.

The GLA is seeking the support of mayor Boris Johnson for the recommendations and wants to jointly promote the findings to the government.