• Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • ABOUT US
  • WORK FOR US
  • HSEQ
  • NEWS
Tel: 02380 675888 | Email: hello@broadsword-group.co.uk
Broadsword Group
  • PROJECTS
  • RESIDENTIAL
  • SCREEDING
  • INTERIOR FIT OUT
  • FIRE PROTECTION
  • OTHER SERVICES
    • DRY LINING
    • SUSPENDED CEILINGS
    • SOLID PARTITIONING
    • RENDERING
    • SECONDARY FRAMING SYSTEM
    • ACOUSTIC SOLUTIONS
    • GLAZED PARTITIONING
    • PLASTERING
    • FIRESTOPPING AND AIR SEALING
    • SECOND FIX CARPENTRY
    • ALL FLOOR COVERINGS
    • RAISED ACCESS FLOORING
  • CASE STUDIES
    • BOW SQUARE
    • OAKLEY HALL
    • PORTSEBURY SEN SCHOOL
    • THE BROOK CLUB
    • SPLASHPOINT LEISURE CENTRE
    • FOREST EDUCATION CENTRE
    • SANDPIPER WALK
    • BISHOPS OTTER CAMPUS
    • HINCHLEY WOOD SCHOOL
    • CEMAST
    • SCHOLARS GRANGE
    • SILVER SANDS COURT
    • BROADSWORD HEAD OFFICE
    • CONFIDENTIAL DATA CENTRE
    • BULMERSHE SCHOOL
  • GET IN TOUCH
  • Menu
fire

Fire safety in construction a bigger priority post Grenfell

October 17, 2018/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickers

The construction industry has seen myriad improvements to fire safety since the Grenfell Tower fire, but there is frustration that the government has responded too slowly, a new study reveals.

Since the fire in June 2017, which killed 71 people, construction industry professionals have seen substantive changes in products used for cladding, insulation and fire doors, as well as greater demands for more fire testing of products.

A survey of construction professionals from all parts of the trade, conducted for UK Construction Week (UKCW), also suggested fire safety has become a bigger priority in revised procurement policies, tenders and contract terms, the survey reveals.

However, the government was widely criticised for taking too long to clarify new requirements since the fire and subsequent publication of the Hackitt Review on 17 May 2018.

One respondent to the survey said: “I just wish that action could happen more quickly”, while another said “things are changing, but way too slowly.” Another had particularly low expectations of the government: “The government will take a decade to produce yet another set of incomplete regulations together, and will probably produce another white paper. They need to set a clock on this.”

Asked what changes they had made since the tragedy respondents had most frequently reviewed project designs and specifications, commissioned additional fire risk assessments on projects and ramped up fire safety training.

They were also asked to pick the three changes they thought would most likely improve fire safety across the built environment, in buildings of all sizes and types. On average they most frequently cited greater involvement of some to conduct a full fire risk assessment to enhance design and specification – such as an architect, clerk of works, fire engineer, or fire and rescue service.

Contractor-led ‘Design and Build’

Many called for the end of contractor-led ‘Design and Build’ contracts.

Not far behind in second place was a sea change in specifying materials. Many backed the recently announced ban on combustible materials in exposed areas of a building, in particular cladding or insulation.

The aluminium composite material panels used on Grenfell Tower have been banned and more recent regulations will extend the ban to include plastics, wood and products that include combustible materials such as aluminium composite panels in the external wall systems used in residential buildings more than 18 metres tall. The only materials that will be allowed are those classed as A1 or A2, which includes elements such as metal, stone and glass, which seldom contribute to fires; or plasterboard, which makes no significant contribution.

The third most highly ranked change sought by construction professionals was the installation and regular maintenance of sprinklers and other active fire detection and suppression equipment into all buildings.

New regulations only ranked sixth on the industry’s list of priorities.

Asked to score out of 10 their confidence that the UK’s approach to fire safety in all buildings would now change for the better, respondents on average went for 6 out of 10.

Contractors, specialist sub-contractors and building products suppliers are marginally more confident than other groups (average confidence score of 7 out of 10).

“Our research shows that the industry has taken to heart every opportunity to change its practice and is already well along a process that will change the way all buildings are procured, design, built and maintained,” said Nathan Garnett, event director at UK Construction Week.

“This is an issue that will be discussed widely at next week’s event, and is likely to remain the highest agenda item for years to come. While confidence is quite good at this time, we must do all we can to maintain the positive attitude and momentum behind these changes.”

Geoff Wilkinson, managing director of Wilkinson Construction Consultants, a fire safety and building standards expert and one of the speakers at this year’s UKCW seminar on quality in construction post-Grenfell, says:

“It is very encouraging to see the industry getting on with it, despite the hiatus from Government. But what’s needed is an industry-wide coordinated response.

“The ban on combustible materials is long overdue. We need to be told why it has taken over a year to get to this point when a very simple changing of regulatory guidance could have achieved the same thing in days.”

Source: Ifsecglobal.com

Tags: Fire, Grenfell
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://broadsword-group.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rsz_1my_post-8.jpg 433 1030 joannevickers https://broadswordgrp.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/broadsword-logo.png joannevickers2018-10-17 11:18:542018-11-06 12:45:56Fire safety in construction a bigger priority post Grenfell
You might also like
fire New alliance formed to improve facade fire-testing
cladding Flammable cladding is a breach of human rights
fire Fire regulatory system is 'broken'
dame judith Construction standards shocking, according to Dame Judith Hackitt
Cladding Combustible cladding over 18m to be banned
fire Government to pay £200m for safer cladding on Grenfell Tower
fire 2 years post Grenfell, do new regulations go far enough?
Fire door safety week Fire Door Safety Week
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Posts

  • 3D Printing in Construction: Revolutionising the Industry
  • Sustainable Fire Protection: Eco-Friendly Solutions for Green Buildings
  • How Technology is Shaping the Future of Construction
  • Top Fire Protection Trends in Commercial Construction for 2025
  • Emerging Trends in Construction 2025

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023
    • May 2023
    • April 2023
    • March 2023
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • June 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016

    Categories

    • Accreditation
    • Charity Events
    • Commercial
    • Fire Protection
    • Home Page news feed
    • Interiors Fit Outs
    • News
    • Other
    • Projects
    • Residential
    • Screeding
    • technology
    • Vacancies

    Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org
    02380 675888
    hello@broadsword-group.co.uk
    SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    • 3d printing3D Printing in Construction: Revolutionising the IndustryApril 28, 2025 - 10:52 am

      The construction industry is on the brink of a revolution, and 3D printing is leading the charge. This groundbreaking technology is transforming how structures are designed, built, and even maintained, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency. Here’s how it is reshaping the construction landscape and what it means for the future of the industry. […]

      READ MORE
    • sustainable fire protectionSustainable Fire Protection: Eco-Friendly Solutions for Green BuildingsMarch 24, 2025 - 10:49 am

      In the modern era of construction, sustainability is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. As the push for eco-friendly and green building practices gains momentum, fire protection systems must also evolve to align with these goals. Balancing safety with sustainability is essential for creating structures that are both secure and environmentally responsible. Here’s how sustainable […]

      READ MORE

    © Broadsword Group Ltd 2024 – website by Zap Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Sitemap |

    logo strip
    Government will lift the borrowing cap on councils to allow them to build many... august figures budget 2017 Housing shake up in the 2018 budget
    Scroll to top