The construction industry is “riven with conflicts” and shouldn’t be allowed to choose “who marks their homework”, MPs have concluded as they published a report into Building Regulations and fire safety following the Grenfell Tower disaster.
The MPs said it was “disappointing” that Hackitt did not address the specific changes to Building Regulations needed to make buildings safer in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and warned that the government’s proposals to ban combustible cladding do not go far enough.
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They also highlighted what they saw as “a clear conflict of interest” with building inspection services “where manufacturers and builders are able to choose who marks their homework”.
Their report called for the government to ban the practice of the fire rescue authorities acting as the enforcement authority when their commercial trading arms were providing safety advice.
Robust oversight required
It urged the government to adopt a “robust system of oversight and meaningful sanctions but underpinned by a strong, prescriptive approach” and argued that the two should not be seen as mutually exclusive.
And it welcomed the government’s intention to ban the use of combustible cladding on new high-rise buildings but said the ban should apply to existing buildings as well as residential homes, hospitals, student accommodation and hotels.
The report also concluded that sprinklers should be fitted to all high-rise residential buildings “where feasible” and the government should make funding available for installation in council and housing association-owned buildings.
Clive Betts, chair of the committee, said: “We are now more than a year on from the catastrophic events at Grenfell Tower, yet despite an independent review of building regulations, we are still no closer to having a system that inspires confidence that residents can be safe and secure in their homes.
Fundamental culture change needed
“We agree with the independent review that there is a need for a fundamental change of culture in the construction industry, but there are also measures that can and should be introduced now.
“We welcome the intention of the government to ban combustible cladding, but the proposals do not go far enough. A ban on dangerous cladding must be extended beyond new high-rise constructions, to existing residential buildings as well as other high-risk buildings.
“The industry is riven with conflicts of interest at every turn, with manufacturers choosing the most lenient testing bodies for their products. It just cannot be right that builders get to choose who marks their homework and urgent action is needed to make sure this does not continue. Fire Rescue Authorities should not be able to pass judgement on the work of their own commercial trading arms.
“The current complicated web of building regulations is compromising safety and putting people at risk in their own homes. It desperately needs both simplifying and strengthening and the Government must act now before more lives are lost.”
