Positive contributions from Fire Safety Matters appreciated by WOBO

Mark your calendars for the UK’s No.1 fire safety event returning to the NEC Birmingham from 30 April – 2 May 2024!

Regulator of Social Housing points to progress in fire safety remediation

THE REGULATOR of Social Housing has published the findings of a survey launched in late August, which invited landlords responsible for buildings of 11 metres tall or higher in the social housing sector to submit information on progress with fire safety remediation.

The Fire Safety Remediation Survey opened to all landlords on 23 August and closed on 15 September, with data reported on 31 August. All social landlords (including housing associations and local authorities) were asked to submit aggregate level data for assessment to both the Regulator of Social Housing and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The results outlined in the report are as follows:

*Fire risk assessments have been undertaken on 98% of all buildings reported

*The majority of social housing landlords have plans in place to address life-critical fire safety defects identified across the relevant buildings

*Remediation work is completed – or otherwise due to be completed in the next five years – for 71% of 11-to-18 metre buildings and 84% of 18 metre-plus buildings assessed as having an external wall system-related LCFS defect (LCFS is defined as defects, shrinkages, faults or other failings in a building that give rise to fire safety risks identified by a fire risk appraisal of external wall constructions or a fire risk assessment – or equivalent – procedure carried out to industry standards)

The report highlights the responsibility of Boards and councillors to understand landlords’ legal obligations in relation to managing the safety of buildings, seek assurance that they are being met and address identified issues promptly.

.fsmatters.com/TICA-issues-warning-over-Building-Safety-Act

Building Safety Act “does not begin and end with higher-risk buildings”

THE NEW building control regime introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022 does not begin and end with higher-risk buildings. Some fundamental changes “apply more broadly”, the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association has warned.

1 October marked a key milestone in the implementation of the Building Safety Act with the Building Safety Regulator commencing its role as the new building control authority for higher-risk buildings, which include high-rise residential structures, hospitals and care homes.

However, the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association believes that this Act of Parliament has a much wider impact and includes evidencing that individuals and organisations appointed to undertake specialist work are competent to do so, regardless of the building type.

Competence is already a major talking point among many specialist trades, but it’s not uncommon to see them ‘bypassed’ in the search for greater profit. Indeed, the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association has already highlighted examples of pre-insulated pipework systems being used with inadequate fire safety and thermal properties. Read more follow the link…

.fsmatters.com/Grenfell-Tower-Inquiry-final-report-timelines

Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report “will not be published before April”

THE GRENFELL Tower Inquiry Panel “continues to make progress” in drafting the final report, but its latest Newsletter – published on the dedicated Public Inquiry website – suggests that the final document “will not be published before April next year” (although the Inquiry Panel hopes to be able to send the concluded document to the Prime Minister ahead of the next anniversary of the fire in London’s North Kensington with publication soon thereafter).

Under Rule 13 of the Inquiry Rules, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is required to write to those who may be subject to criticism, explaining the basis on which such criticism may be made. Drafts of the chapters relating to the history of the refurbishment, the response of central and local Government and chapters relating to the London Fire Brigade have been completed and warning letters have been sent to those who are likely to be criticised. “Responses to those letters have been received from many of those to whom we have written, although the process is continuing.”

Read more follow the link..