Private building control inspectors are calling for independent regulation and enforcement powers following the outcry that breaches of the building regulations at Grenfell Tower were not picked up.

In her interim report into the Grenfell fire, Dame Judith Hackitt highlighted concerns that the partially privatised model of building control put the independence of approved inspectors in doubt and that they are not able to adequately enforce building regulations.

Currently, private approved inspectors are subject to a different set of rules from local authority building control departments and have to refer serious breaches of building regulations to local authority departments.

In its response to the Hackitt review, the Association of Consultant Approved Inspectors (ACAI) has proposed a single body regulates approved inspectors and local authorities, with a common set of rules covering competency, licensing and code of conduct.

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