ASSOCIATIONS & ORGANISATIONS
Image courtesy of Michael Evans - stock . adobe . com additional duties on the responsible persons in residential buildings of multiple occupancy ( BMO ). In buildings taller than 11 metres , the new regulations require quarterly checks on fire doors in communal areas and annual checks on flat entrance doors .
As Michael says : “ Some members will be involved in carrying out fire door inspections under these regulations and there will be an increased need for training .”
The following month saw the first meeting of the new Building Advisory Committee , chaired by Peter Baker , Chief Inspector of Buildings , and head of the Building Safety Regulator ( BSR ) in HSE .
“ This really was something of a ‘ landmark ’”, says Michael . “ The BSR is becoming the building control authority for work on higher risk buildings in England ; previously , this was the local authority in most cases . According to government : the Building Safety Regulator ’ s approach to formal enforcement and sanctions will serve the public interest and will be undertaken in a fair , equitable and consistent manner , targeting , and taking firm action against those who repeatedly offend , act irresponsibly , or whose actions could cause serious harm . It promotes the principle that those who create the risk are responsible for managing that risk and are held accountable when they fail to do so .”
In April of this year , an independent review of the construction product testing regime ( a follow-up to Dame Judith Hackitt ’ s report “ Building a Safer Future ”) was published . Named “ Testing for a Safer Future ”, the review identifies potential weaknesses in the system and makes recommendations for improvement .
“ We are yet to receive a response from UK Government . This could affect the existing intentions for conformity marking of construction products and safety critical products ; the official response will be important as it will affect testing and certification requirements for manufacturers of construction products ,” explains Michael .
“ Looking ahead , we expect the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Final Report , as well as legislation on competence requirements ( provided for in Part 3 of the Building Safety Act 2022 ) which will potentially affect any building activity subject to building regulations approval in England . In addition , the Golden Thread of information : Part 3 of the Building Safety Act Amends the Building Act 1984 to allow building regulations to make provisions regarding creating , obtaining , storing , and transmitting information and documents . Part 4 imposes duties on Accountable Persons to manage such information and documents , subject to regulations to be made by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up , Housing and Communities . The necessary regulations have not yet been published but guidance about implementing the regulations and obtaining and handling the data is also expected . Once in place , information provided by manufacturers and installers of construction products will assume greater importance .”
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JULY 2023
51
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