The review was commissioned in the wake of the Grenfell fire

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Dame Judith Hackitt has called on the industry to get involved in the next phase of the Independent Review into Building Regulations and Fire Safety.

At a summit attended by 50 senior industry figures, Hackitt (pictured), the author of an upcoming report into these issues, yesterday issued a “call to action” to all those involved in the building system to bring about changes that ensure buildings are safe to live in.

The independent review was commissioned in July 2017 following the Grenfell fire which claimed the lives of 71 people. The full report is due out in the spring.

Industry leaders in attendance at the summit committed to creating a new system that will work effectively and coherently.

Working groups will be established to develop innovative solutions in the following key areas including design and construction, regulation and guidance, as well as products.

Speaking at the summit, Hackitt said: “I have been greatly encouraged by the wide ranging support which my Interim Report received. I can now say with confidence that there is widespread agreement that the current system of regulation for high-rise and complex buildings is broken and that we need a radical overhaul and a change in culture.

“I was greatly encouraged by the positive tone at the summit and the recognition of the common challenge. We now need to agree both the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of delivering the transformational change which is needed.

“Today we have invited people from a wide range of organisations to join with us not just in agreeing the way forward but in making it happen.”

Areas for the working groups to assess

  • Design, construction and refurbishment – establishing what industry and regulators need to do to fully embed building safety during the design and construction phase

  • Occupation and maintenance – identifying what building owners, landlords and regulators need to do differently to ensure that building safety is prioritised when a building is occupied and throughout its life cycle

  • Products – determining how the product testing and marketing regime can be improved

  • Competency – establishing how competency requirements for key individuals involved in building and managing complex and high-risk buildings should change

  • Residents’ voice – determining the best way for residents to be given a clear, quick and effective statutory route for raising concerns on fire safety

  • Regulation and guidance – resolving whether central government ownership of technical guidance is the most appropriate model for complex and high-risk buildings

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