A ban on combustible cladding in the UK should apply to all new high-rise buildings, according to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
Housing Secretary James Brokenshire announced at the Conservative Party conference that new high-rise residential buildings, hospitals, registered care homes and student accommodation will be included in the ban.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), which submitted a response to the consultation on the cladding ban, believes it “provides some clarity and simplification” for the future built environment, but warns it “doesn’t go far enough”, with existing residential high-rises, and new offices and other buildings not covered.
IOSH previously urged the Government to take urgent action to strengthen the UK system for building and fire safety in the wake of Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review, commissioned after the Grenfell Tower fire. This includes improved fire safety regulation, guidance, enforcement and competence levels.
Richard Jones, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at IOSH, said: “As was revealed in Dame Judith’s review findings, the UK system requires fundamental reform.
“Given that this will take significant time and the fact the public is very concerned about fire safety, banning the use of combustible materials on new high-rise residential buildings is a step in the right direction. It provides some clarity and simplification for the construction industry.
“But it doesn’t go far enough. In cities and towns across the UK, many people live and also work in high-rise buildings. They all need to be protected. Therefore, the ban should cover all high-rise buildings, existing and new, and both residential and non-residential.”
The cladding ban will be implemented through changes to building regulations. It will not be applied retrospectively, where combustible materials have already been fitted. However, ministers have ordered that combustible panels are taken down as soon as possible where they are in place on tall buildings.
Jones added: “Existing buildings should not remain clad in combustible materials, but should have improvement plans put in place. We also believe it is unacceptable to allow building work using newly-banned materials to start or continue, so the ban should apply to projects already underway.”
