NEWS
JUDITH HACKITT TO
CHAIR INDEPENDENT
REVIEW FOLLOWING
GRENFELL TOWER FIRE
Main Image: @Natalie_Oxford via Twitter
O
n 28 July, the government announced that it would
be conducting an independent review of building
regulations and fire safety.
This follows the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, which
raised serious questions about the fire safety of high rise
residential buildings, and subsequent government testing
of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding from
similar buildings across the country.
The first result from large scale tests of building cladding
systems has also been published. The latest tests simulate
a tall building and allow experts to better understand how
different types of cladding panels behave with different
types of insulation in the event of a fire.
The first system tested, a wall cladding system using
an aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding with
unmodified polyethylene filler (Cat 3) and foam insulation,
failed the test, which is set out in current building
regulations guidance.
Immediate action is already underway to ensure the
safety of residents in these buildings. But the results
also make clear that we need to understand how current
building regulations and fire safety work, in order to make
them as effective as possible in the future.
This forward-looking independent review will be led
by Dame Judith Hackitt, Chair of EEF, the Manufacturers’
Organisation, and will look at current building
regulations and fire safety with a particular focus on
high rise residential buildings. It will report jointly to the
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and the Home Secretary
Amber Rudd.
From: Department for Communities and Local Government and The Rt
Hon Sajid Javid MP
Part of: Grenfell Tower
6
HSE INTERNATIONAL
It will examine:
• The regulatory system around the design, construction
and on-going management of buildings in relation to fire
safety
• Related compliance and enforcement issues
• International regulation and experience in this area
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:
“Since the tragic Grenfell Tower disaster, the government
has been working to make sure people living in high rise
buildings are safe.
“It’s clear we need to urgently look at building
regulations and fire safety. This independent review will
ensure we can swiftly make any necessary improvements.
Government is determined to make sure that we learn the
lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire, and to ensure nothing
like it can happen again.”
As part of the review, Dame Judith will consult the
Buildings Regulations Advisory Committee – which advises
the government on changes to building regulations – as
well as the construction and housing industry, the fire
sector, international experts, MPs and the public.
The review will also work closely with other government
departments and the devolved administrations and
consider the implications of changes to the regulatory
system on other government objectives.
Review Chair, Dame Judith Hackitt said:
“I am honoured to be asked by government to lead this
important independent review. This review will look at
building regulations and fire safety to see what changes
can be made for the future to make these more effective.
“I am keen to engage widely with industry and the public
to inform the recommendations from the review. I want the