LoginRIBA calls for end to 'desktop studies'
The RIBA has demanded an end to ‘desktop studies’ certifying fire safety compliance
Posted 10 May 2018 | JoTS Online
Content Tags: Updates|Health and Safety|National
UPDATES: Ahead of Dame Judith Hackitt's final report, the organisation sets out its position on building safety, outlining the reforms it believes are needed and the implications for regulators and consumer protection.
The organisation's response comes <span id="E472">ahead of the publication of Dame Judith </span><span id="E474">Hackitt’s</span><span id="E476"> final report on the </span><span id="E477">Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety</span><span id="E478">.</span> <p id="E479"><span id="E480">The RIBA is concerned that the government may continue to allow the use of desktop studies, simply rebranding them “assessments in lieu of test.” Desktop studies have been a significant contributing factor in the regulatory failure revealed by the retrospective </span><span id="E482">cladding testing</span><span id="E484"> programme introduced after the Grenfell Tower fire.</span></p> <p id="E485"><span id="E486">Immediate Past President of RIBA and Chair of the RIBA’s Expert Advisory Group on Fire Safety, </span><span id="E487">Jane Duncan</span><span id="E488"> says, </span><span id="E490">“The proposed assessment in lieu of a full fire safety test suggested by the Government’s consultation is effectively no better than renaming a desktop study – simply a form of window dressing.</span></p> <p id="E491"><span id="E492">"Dame Judith’s report is imminent – we strongly urge more significant change. This is a watershed moment – stronger prescriptive guidance is needed to provide clarity to the industry and most importantly, to protect the public.”</span></p> <p id="E493"><span id="E494">All successful building control systems around the world, including the International Building Code, rely on a significant element of prescriptive regulation and guidance. The RIBA is calling on Dame Judith </span><span id="E496">Hackitt</span><span id="E498"> to recommend and the Government to implement the following baseline regulatory requirements:</span></p>
<ul> <li id="E499" class="qowt-li-5_0 qowt-list"><span id="E500">External walls of buildings above 18m in height to be constructed of non-combustible (European class A1) materials only</span></li> <li id="E501" class="qowt-li-5_0 qowt-list"><span id="E502">More than one means of vertical escape from new multiple occupancy residential buildings over 11m high, consistent with current regulations for commercial buildings (which are arguably lower risk)</span></li> <li id="E503" class="qowt-li-5_0 qowt-list"><span id="E504">Retro-fitting of sprinklers / automatic fire suppression systems to existing residential buildings above 18m from ground level in height as “consequential improvements” where an existing building is subject to 'material alterations'</span></li> <li id="E505" class="qowt-li-5_0 qowt-list"><span id="E506">Sprinklers/automatic fire suppression systems in all new and converted residential buildings, as currently required under Regulations 37A and 37B of the Building Regulations for Wales</span></li> </ul>
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Content Tags: Updates|Health and Safety|National
