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BSR is set to undertake a fundamental review of how building regulations guidance is produced, updated and communicated to the construction industry.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced the review of guidance to the building regulations known as the Approved Documents (ADs) during this week’s Commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
ADs provide detailed guidance for builders, architects and other professionals on how to meet functional requirements of building regulations. However, concerns have previously been raised about them being overly complex and difficult to use.
This review is a vital step toward simplifying guidance, making compliance easier, and improving safety and quality in construction.
Find out more about the building regulations guidance review
HSE, as the BSR, welcomes and supports the government’s announcement of a Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP).
Philip White, Chief Inspector of Buildings & Director of Building Safety, said: “We will work alongside government, other industry regulators, fire and rescue services, local government and Mayors, to help implement the plan to accelerate remediation in higher-risk buildings of 18 metres or more in England that still have unsafe flammable cladding.
“By placing a legal obligation on landlords to remove unsafe cladding, this plan will ultimately result in better-quality buildings, where residents are safe, and can feel safe, in their homes”.
Read the press notice
BSR is recruiting to its Statutory Residents’ Panel. The panel gives residents of high-rise buildings the power to influence future decisions about the safety of their homes.
We’re looking for residents to join the existing panel so a diverse range of voices can be heard and supported by key organisations.
The panel will play a key role in shaping policies and guidance for building safety management. By participating, you’ll contribute to decisions that impact the safety and well-being of millions of residents.
Contact the panel by email to find out more.
We are looking for people across the building industry to join a workshop exploring what 'good culture' looks like in the built environment.
Aligned with BSR’s 3-year strategic plan, this workshop will offer an opportunity to feedback on the newly developed Culture Framework.
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committee members, industry leaders and regulators
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industry bodies and trade associations
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architectural and engineering sector bodies
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accreditation or education providers
Those selected will be invited to a 90-minute session with independent research agency, Verian.
Apply now to be part of change
Volumetric Modular Construction is a type of Modern Method of Construction (MMC) which happens off-site.
It sees modules built off-site, transported to site and assembled to create permanent buildings. Once site installation is complete, in most cases, buildings will need only limited additional work to be considered complete and ready to use.
The government has committed to greater use of MMC, however, this is coupled with the recognition that the existing regulatory framework was set out in relation to traditional construction.
Independent and separate research has been carried out by the government and HSE to consider potential risks to the safety and performance of volumetric modular construction and identify potential options for mitigating those risks.
HSE is part of the CROSS fire safety expert panel and liaises with them on fire and structural safety issues.
A recent alert from Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS-UK) drew attention to the risks of preventing the operation of smoke vents, in particular Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs), by construction works on existing buildings.
HSE, as the BSR, comments on AOVs as part of Planning Gateway One (PGO) casework if they, or the lack of AOVs, affects the appearance of the building, overall fire safety design and layout or their role in keeping escape routes safe from smoke.
There may also be oversight of AOVs during the building control process (Gateway 2) as part of scrutiny of Construction Management Plans, a required document in building control approval applications.
Government response: Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing Plus (EEIS+) consultation (accessible)
The EEIS+ post-consultation response is now available.
Read the government response
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