Industry News
RIBA calls for a
comprehensive
ban on
combustible
materials
The Royal Institute of British Architects
(RIBA) has submitted evidence to the
Government’s consultation on banning
the use of combustible materials in the
external walls of high-rise residential
buildings.
After a lengthy investigation, the Institute
has concluded that a ban on combustible
materials is the only way to ensure that
our buildings are safe and fit for the
future.
The RIBA response was made to the
Ministry of Housing, Communities and
Local Government (MHCLG) consultation
that was launched in the wake of Dame
Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of
Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
The architect’s body argues for A1
‘non-combustible’ certification, contrary
to those who continue to suggest that
products of ‘limited combustibility’
should be permitted.
The Institute also strongly recommends
that the ban is extended to include any
high-rise buildings, such as offices and
educational buildings, to ensure that the
public is properly protected in the event
of a fire.
Assessing the impact of the Grenfell
Tower tragedy on professional
indemnity insurance
We have been asked by Ministry of
Housing, Communities and Local
Government (MHCLG) Industry
Response Group (IRG) via the
Construction Industry Council (CIC),
of which CIAT is a full member, to
respond to a second survey on the
impact of professional indemnity
insurance and the Grenfell Tower
tragedy. The questionnaire asks a series
of straightforward questions for your
response.
In response to the survey issue, CIAT
has written directly to the MHCLG and
CIC as from our understanding some
insurers are acting in an opportunistic
manner, i.e. by trying to increase
premiums, whilst at the same time
looking to restrict cover.
Seeking to concentrate only on
‘Cladding’ exposures, the insurance
market is seeking avoid it and in the
majority of cases fully exclude cover.
A small number of insurers are prepared
to offer some cover, perhaps full cover,
but that is now few and far between.
The restricted cover on offer is either
to limit to ‘Rectification’ only or insist
upon ‘Compliance with Regulation’,
which for a competent professional
would be expected which, is virtually
impossible and leaves the insured open
to legal challenge.
The potential is that some practices are
simply without adequate cover, which
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