Major Fires Still a Risk Under ‘Spineless’ New Safety Law, Construction Boss Warns
Recent developments in fire safety legislation have raised significant concerns within the construction industry. As the government seeks to turn post-Grenfell fire safety guidance into law, David Jones, president of the Institute of Construction Management, has voiced strong criticism, deeming the proposed measures as “loose,” “spineless,” and “open to interpretation.”
Risks Permitted by the New Safety Law
– Tolerable Risks: Jones argues that the guidance allows for excessive “tolerable” risks. For instance, it permits the use of flammable materials in window systems and between floors, even if they can facilitate the spread of fire.
– System Exploitation: “It’s allowing developers to game the system,” Jones states, asserting that codifying these guidelines into law would be an “absolute abomination.” His experience of over 50 years in the industry underscores his concerns.
– Lack of Clarity: The proposed regulations, referred to in the industry as PAS 9980, use the term “tolerable” frequently. Flammable materials can remain in place if deemed tolerable, meaning in defined fire tests, a blaze does not spread beyond one floor within 15 minutes or two floors within 30 minutes.
Subjectivity in Safety Assessments
Jones emphasizes the guidance’s failure to mandate engineers to present fire test safety data for these materials, creating subjective assessments. He points to the lack of a ban on materials classified as having “limited combustibility,” illustrating that these substances, while burning more slowly, are still a hazard.
Government’s Justification for Tolerance
Part of the government’s rationale for allowing certain risks is to mitigate delays stemming from disputes over necessary safety work on buildings constructed with cladding. However, progress in addressing these safety defects has been slow since the Grenfell tragedy eight years ago:
– Building Safety Statistics: As of December, only around 475 of the over 5,500 blocks identified as unsafe have been fully rectified and certified safe within the past year. Cladding has been replaced in 35% of these dangerous buildings, including nearly all of those with cladding similar to Grenfell Tower.
Residents’ representatives express concern that any remaining flammable materials might jeopardize fire safety ratings, potentially leading to increased long-term insurance premiums. The government has stated that it is the responsibility of the insurance industry to adjust premiums once buildings are certified safe. However, the insurance industry warns that premiums will remain high if flammable materials continue to be present.
Incomplete Fire Safety Considerations
Jones also critiques the guidelines for exclusively addressing the exterior facades of buildings, neglecting internal fire safety defects identified in numerous tower blocks following Grenfell.
Despite these concerns, the government robustly defends its stance, asserting that the new law will prevent unnecessary work and disturbances for residents. The consultation period for feedback on these guidelines ends on December 31, with legislation slated for 2026.
In summary, the proposed fire safety law has sparked significant debate, with industry leaders urging for greater clarity and stricter regulations to truly enhance safety and protect residents from potential hazards associated with flammable materials.