Major Fires Still a Risk Under ‘Spineless’ New Safety Law, Construction Boss Warns
A leading figure in the construction industry has raised serious concerns about the new fire safety legislation proposed by the government following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. David Jones, president of the Institute of Construction Management, has characterized the guidance for multi-storey residential buildings as loose, spineless, and open to interpretation.
Concerns Over Recent Fire Safety Guidance
– Permitting Tolerable Risks: Mr. Jones argues that the new guidelines allow for too many tolerable risks, particularly regarding flammable materials used in window systems and floor structures that could facilitate fire spread.
– System Manipulation: He believes the regulations enable developers to exploit loopholes, stating that transforming these guidelines into law would be an absolute abomination.
– First Public Critique: Notably, Mr. Jones is the first senior industry leader to publicly express such criticism, as the guidelines remain open for consultation.
Government’s Rationale Behind the Guidelines
The government defends its approach, stating that the guidelines represent a proportionate response to the ongoing flammable cladding crisis. Officials maintain that making these guidelines law will bring greater clarity and certainty to the identification of fire safety defects that need rectification.
– Frequent Use of Tolerable: Cladding campaigners note that the term tolerable appears numerous times within the guidelines known as PAS 9980.
– Risk Assessment: The current framework allows combustible materials to stay in buildings if deemed tolerable, meaning a fire is confined to one floor within 15 minutes or two floors within 30 minutes during standard tests.
– Subjective Assessments: Mr. Jones contends that the lack of strict requirements on presenting fire test safety data for these materials leads to evaluations that are too subjective.
The Impact of Flammable Materials
The absence of a ban on materials classified as having limited combustibility is another area of concern for Mr. Jones, who describes such materials as merely burning more slowly while still presenting a fire risk. This leniency appears to be driven by the government’s desire to expedite processes and minimize disputes regarding the necessary safety work on buildings.
– Progress Since Grenfell: Eight years post-Grenfell, progress has been frustratingly slow. As of December, statistics from the Ministry of Housing reveal that only 475 of over 5,500 identified unsafe blocks have been fully repaired and certified as safe in the past year.
– Cladding Replacement Rates: Approximately 35% of the dangerous blocks have had their cladding removed since the Grenfell incident, with nearly all taller buildings with the same type of cladding as Grenfell Tower being addressed.
Broader Implications for Residents
Residents’ representatives are increasingly alarmed that any remaining flammable materials could diminish fire safety ratings, potentially resulting in higher insurance premiums in the long run. In their defense, the government states that it is the responsibility of the insurance industry to lower premiums once buildings are certified safe. The insurance sector, however, asserts that if flammable materials persist, they will adjust their pricing to reflect the ongoing risk.
Limited Scope of Fire Safety Inspections
In addition to his concerns, Mr. Jones points out that the guidelines focus solely on exterior facades of buildings, neglecting significant internal fire safety issues that have been discovered in many tower blocks post-Grenfell.
Conclusion
Despite Mr. Jones’ criticisms, the government has strongly defended the new guidelines, asserting that they aim to eliminate unnecessary work and disruptions for residents. The public consultation on these vital guidelines is set to conclude on December 31, with legislation scheduled for 2026. The ongoing dialogue surrounding fire safety continues to be imperative for protecting residents and ensuring safer living conditions in multi-storey buildings.