Sprinkler systems mandatory in new high-rise blocks
Mandatory sprinkler systems and consistent wayfinding signage in all new high-rise blocks of flats over 11 metres tall are among the new measures to further reform the building safety system.
Edge protection systems in high-rise construction
Ian Fryer, divisional product innovation director at RMD Kwikform, discusses the need to urgently address debris protection and the edge protection systems.
Fire safety: Building a safer future under pressure
Ian King, chief operating officer at Zeroignition, takes a look at how fire safety in the construction industry is being propelled to the top of the agenda.
How will Budget 2020 impact the construction industry?
Today (11 March) marks the arrival of Budget 2020, as Chancellor Rishi Sunak vows to take further steps to decarbonise the economy and get Britain building.
Inquiry launched to assess progress of cladding remediation
The HCLG committee has launched an inquiry to review the government’s progress in removing potentially dangerous cladding from high-risk buildings, and the adequacy of funding by Government.
Coalition calls on government to extend cladding crisis action
New evidence has revealed the scale of the cladding crisis could impact up to 500,000 people, as a coalition of property managers urges the government to increase funding to remediate all unsafe buildings.
Advice for leaseholders stuck in blocks with unsafe cladding
With thousands of flat-owners across the country affected, people have woken up to the risks of unsafe cladding – Mary-Anne Bowring, MD of Ringley offers advice to leaseholders stuck in blocks with untested cladding.
Fire safety knowledge remains ‘inadequate’ post-Grenfell, study shows
A third of construction professionals believe the industry still has ‘inadequate’ knowledge and training around fire safety, according to a study carried out by a quantity surveying student at Birmingham City University.
Fire safety and competency in the post-Grenfell era
Dr Dave Smith, export manager of the Fire Industry Association, looks at the changing landscape for competency in the wake of the Grenfell disaster and Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of fire safety and the Building Regulations.
High-rise buildings: Are they as safe as houses?
Following the introduction of a new industry-wide process for evaluating the fire safety of buildings over 18m tall in December, Helen Andrews, construction partner at Fieldfisher, considers whether the scheme is likely to stack up for development funders.
Grenfell Inquiry: Companies claim its ‘someone else’s fault’
Phase 2 of the Inquiry will examine the circumstances and causes of the disaster, including how Grenfell Tower came to be in a condition which allowed the fire to spread in the way identified in Phase 1.
IOSH urges ‘visible action’ from new building safety regulator
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has responded to the new HSE regulator announcement, urging “visible and tangible action” on improving building safety.
HSE regulator at the fore of new building safety plans
Housing secretary, Robert Jenrick has announced measures that go further and faster to ensure residents are safe in their homes, slow improving building safety standards will “not be tolerated”.
Changing of the guard in electrical safety
Lesley Rudd, who takes the reins of consumer protection charity Electrical Safety First in February, discusses her priorities in the role and those of the new government, as well as the key issues around electrical safety in building control.
