The RIBA has submitted its response and recommendations to the call for evidence from the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, led by Dame Judith Hackitt.
The Institute’s response has been developed by the RIBA Expert Advisory Group on Fire Safety, established by RIBA Council following the Grenfell Tower fire disaster.
The full RIBA response to the call for evidence can be downloaded here.
The RIBA has also set out a series of initial recommendations for changes to Building Regulations and Fire Safety systems, regulations and guidance.
Speaking today Jane Duncan, Chair of the RIBA Expert Advisory Group on Fire Safety, said:
“The RIBA welcomes Dame Judith Hackitt’s review but we believe it must be more comprehensive, addressing the details of Building Regulations guidance as well as the broader regulatory system. The Review should cover all building types and construction methods not just those relating to high-rise, multiple occupancy residential buildings. In addition to submitting evidence, the RIBA has also proposed a number of significant recommendations to the Review, to enhance the future fire safety of buildings for all residents and users.”
The RIBA proposes the following initial detailed recommendations to the Review:
R1 Repeal of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, under which building owners undertake their own fire risk assessment, and the re-introduction of mandatory Fire Certificates for designated premises, based on independent inspections by the fire brigades, with statutory powers of entry to individual dwellings where necessary.
R2 An enhanced role for the fire brigades in assisting Building Control authorities in the fire risk assessment of Building Regulations Full Plans Applications for works involving higher risk buildings that will require mandatory fire certificates.
R3 Review of the “stay put” policy in high-rise, multiple occupancy residential buildings, first introduced in British Standard Code of Practice CP3: Chapter IV (1962) Part 1: Fire Precautions in flats and maisonettes over 80ft in height. For new buildings, the RIBA has a preference for simultaneous evacuation, or phased/staged fire alarm systems, alternative means of escape options, and increased escape stair widths.
R4 Introduction of a Building Regulations requirement for central fire alarm systems, with phased /staged capabilities, in multiple occupancy residential buildings.
R5 Removal of the “desk-top” study approach to demonstrating compliance with Regulation B4.
R6 Introduction of requirements for sprinklers/automatic fire suppression systems in all new and converted residential buildings, as currently required under Regulations 37A and 37B of the Building Regulations for Wales, or at least for residential buildings over three storeys in height.
R7 Introduction of a requirement for more than one means of vertical escape from new multiple occupancy residential buildings of more than three storeys in height, and no use of compensatory features for omission of a staircase or alternative means of escape.
R8 Review of the requirements for natural and mechanical smoke vent/exhaust provisions to corridors, lobbies and stairs to ensure current performance capacities are sufficient.
R9 Development of clearer, prescriptive and design process driven guidance in Approved Document B, written in plain language with straight forward diagrams. Any test based solutions to be based on full scale fire testing and not use desktop studies.
R10 External walls of buildings over 18m in height to be constructed of non-combustible (European class A1) materials only. (The Independent Review should also give detailed consideration to much greater restriction on the use of combustible materials and materials of limited combustibility in external wall construction more generally.)
The RIBA believes that the Independent Review should also make recommendations in regard to ensuring the fire safety of the UK’s existing stock of high-rise, multiple occupancy residential buildings, and recommends:
R11 Retro-fitting of central fire alarm systems in existing residential buildings over 18m in height.
R12 Retro-fitting of sprinklers/automatic fire suppression systems to existing residential buildings over 18m in height, and perhaps extended to all existing residential buildings above three storeys in height.
R13 Consideration of the construction of alternative vertical means of escape, or escape safe havens/refuges, for residential buildings over 18m in height when there is currently only one staircase.
R14 For new refurbishment projects involving “material alterations” to high-rise, multiple occupancy residential buildings, the retro-fitting of central fire alarm systems and sprinklers/automatic fire suppression systems should be mandatory. This could be structured on a similar basis to the “consequential improvements” required under Part L of the Building Regulations to the energy performance of existing buildings where they are subject to renovation and/or extension.
The development of new materials and methods of construction and constantly evolving knowledge about the fire performance of buildings means that fire regulation needs to be regularly updated. The lack of a periodic timetable for updating of the Building Regulations Approved Documents, which has allowed review of Approved Document B to be almost indefinitely delayed, is highly problematic.
R15 The RIBA proposes that a formal, predetermined programme for review of key Approved Documents should be adopted, as is the case with the Australian National Building Code. The CDM Regulations (Health and Safety) are reviewed every 5 years.
The RIBA believes that in addition to making recommendations for changes to Building Regulations, enhancement of the Building Control and enforcement regime, and repeal of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety should also give significant consideration to the impact of procurement decisions and allocation of project responsibilities on project quality and safety, and the role of clients in ensuring independent scrutiny of construction work. The public sector has an important national role to play in demonstrating best practice in procurement and construction oversight.
Consideration should be given to the adoption of the “Principal Designer” and “Principal Contractor” roles set out in the CDM Regulations 2015, with regard to ensuring so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare, including fire safety, of those constructing, maintaining and demolishing buildings, within new regulation to also encompass ensuring the fire safety of building users. The “Principal Designer” should have powers during the design and any “contractor design” periods of projects to enable safe design and construction. This will need greater level of approvals and inspection by Building Control officers and independent clerks of works/site architects. The “Principal Contractor” role should have a greater responsibility to work collaboratively with the fire brigades, client and “Principal Designer” to achieve these fire safety objectives. Such a regulatory framework could include:
- During construction: Building Inspections conducted formally by the Principal Designer, Principal Contractor and the Building Control Officer, and recorded in writing by the Principal Contractor that the building is constructed in accordance with the approved plans, relevant Building Regulations and Codes of Practice.
- Before the issue of the Final Certificate: The Principal Contractor confirms, in writing to the Principal Designer, that the works to any building have been built in accordance with the approved plans, relevant Building Regulations, Codes of Practice, Fire and HSE legislation.
- The Final Certificate: Cannot be issued until this written confirmation has been received by the Principal Designer.
- Regulation 38: The Principal Designer shall give all the fire safety information critical to life safety in and around the building.
- H&S File: These statements are to be recorded in the H&S File for the life of the building until its demolition.
RIBA members with queries about the submission and recommendations should contact the RIBA Practice Team: practice@riba.org
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Notes to editors:
1. For press information, contact press@riba.org 020 7580 5533
2. RIBA’s latest updates on the Grenfell Tower fire and Fire Safety can be viewed here.
3. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Architecture.com
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