Timber is a safe, sustainable building material which continues to be a source of innovation through it’s versatility, strength and natural beauty.
Every person in the UK should feel safe where they live. They should be able to trust in the expertise of the architects, designers, and builders, and the strength of the UK’s regulatory regime to create buildings which will perform.
The Grenfell Fire uncovered systemic failings in the UK’s building system, which were further elaborated on in the Building a Safer Future report by Dame Judith Hackett in May 2018.
Some of the key issues revealed by the report include ignorance, where regulations and guidance were not always read by those who needed to follow them, indifference, where the primary motivation is to do things as quickly and cheaply as possible, lack of clarity on roles and responsiblities, and inadequate regulatory oversight and enforcement tools. These issues created a ‘race to the bottom’ in the industry.
The timber industry wholeheartedly supports the findings of the Hackett Review, and the recommendations to move to an outcomes-based building system (rather than one based on prescriptive rules and complex guidance), and develop regulators with real teeth to drive the right behaviours.
An outcome and risk-based approach
As the Hackett Review emphasises, buildings are more than the sum of their parts. To achieve the best possible outcomes, we need to think about buildings as a system and use a risk-based approach. There should also be transparency of information and an audit trail for building products to ensure quality, similar as to what we currently have to ensure the sustainable sourcing of wood and wood products.
One of the most immediate affects of Grenfell has been a focus on the use of combustible materials on buildings, including a ban on the use of these materials in the external walls of buildings above 18 metres.
The timber industry supports an independent, professional fire risk assessment that considers building design, use, materials and location is essential at the design stage for multi-occupancy and assembly buildings regardless of height. You can find out more in our response to the review of the use of combustible materials in and on the external walls of buildings.
Buildings need to perform a all times, and under all conditions. This is why we work to ensure timber products in the UK are certified as sustainable and high quality, and there is competency throughout the supply chain.
The new regulatory framework must be simpler and more effective. It must be truly outcomes based (rather than based on prescriptive rules and complex guidance) and it must have real teeth, so that it can drive the right behaviours. This will create an environment where there are incentives to do the right thing and serious penalties for those who choose to game the system and as a result put the users of the ‘product’ at risk.
This approach also acknowledges that prescriptive regulation and guidance are not helpful in designing and building complex buildings, especially in an environment where building technology and practices continue to evolve, and will prevent those undertaking building work from taking responsibility for their actions.
Policy Recommendations
The Government should ensure that changes to building regulations and policies reflect scientific research so they do not unnecessarily impede innovation in the construction industry.