Collaboration addresses fire and security on flat entrance doorsets
In an unprecedented collaboration within the fire and security industry, three organisations with expertise in fire and security doorsets have combined their knowledge to offer guidance on flat entrance doorsets.
Loud and clear: Residents’ voices must be heard post-Hackitt
Fire safety has been ramping up, that of resident engagement. Mark Varley, group head of health and safety at FirstPort, takes a look.
A digital path to safer buildings?
The government is set to consult on a “digital by default” standard for record-keeping relating to the design, construction and operation of buildings as part of its response to the post-Grenfell Hackitt Review.
A year of developments in construction – and what 2019 may hold
2018 saw some big changes and big challenges for the construction industry. Simon Lewis and Hannah Gardiner of law firm Womble Bond Dickinson look back at the key developments – and highlight what we can expect in the year ahead.
ACAI responds to MHCLG committee sessions on building regulations
The House of Commons MHCLG Committee has taken evidence from Dame Judith Hackitt and Housing Minister Kit Malthouse on the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
Government’s progress on dangerous cladding a “national shame”
Shadow secretary of state for housing, John Healey, questioned the House of Commons on the action taken by the Government on high-rise residential blocks with dangerous cladding.
Grenfell panels ‘55 times more flammable’ than safer alternative
The first in-depth study of the cladding and insulation used on Grenfell Tower has uncovered significant differences in flammability and smoke toxicity between the products used and least combustible products available.
Government to enforce full Hackitt recommendations
The Government has revealed it will enforce the full recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her review of building regulations and fire safety published following the Grenfell Tower fire.
Grenfell Inquiry next stage ‘unlikely to restart until 2020’
Hearings for the second phase of the Grenfell Inquiry are unlikely to start before the end of next year, according to its chairman
Government issues ban on combustible materials for high-rise homes
The government has issued a ban on the use of combustible materials on new high-rise homes and has given its support to local authorities to carry out emergency remediation work.
FPA calls on Government to consider smoke toxicity in building products
New research on the smoke toxicity of building cladding, published by The Fire Protection Association (FPA), calls on the government to consider the role that toxicity should play in product approvals before making its final decision on combustible building materials.
Grenfell Tower tragedy dents confidence in councils, poll suggests
A new poll has revealed doubts over plans to give local authorities more power to oversee the safety of high-rise buildings, following the Grenfell Tower fire.
Labour investigation reveals only 4% of London council blocks have sprinklers
A Labour Party investigation into fire safety in tall tower blocks has discovered that just 4% of London’s high rise council housing blocks have sprinklers installed.
Hackitt: Impossible to rule out another Grenfell without regulatory change
Dame Judith Hackitt, author of the independent review of Building Regulation and fire safety, has warned that without changes to the regulatory system, another tragedy like the Grenfell Tower fire cannot be ruled out.
