The government has announced an independent review of building regulations and fire safety in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
In a statement announcing the review, the government has said the fire “raised serious questions” about the safety of tall buildings.
The independent review will be led by Dame Judith Hackitt, chair of EEF – The Manufacturers’ Organisation, and will look at current building regulations and fire safety in high rise buildings, in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster. It will report jointly to the communities secretary Sajid Javid and the home secretary Amber Rudd.
The coroner’s inquest into the deadly fire in Lakanal House, south London, in 2009 recommended the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) review Approved Document B, which governs this area of building regulation.
In her letter to the department, coroner Frances Kirkham described it as “a most difficult document to use” and said it should be redrafted. Despite repeated calls from fire safety experts and a parliamentary committee.
This was never done.
The review announced today will examine:
- The regulatory system around the design, construction and on-going management of buildings in relation to fire safety
- Related compliance and enforcement issues
- International regulation and experience in this area
Dame Judith was previously chair of the Health and Safety Executive for nine years.