Construction library

Paragraph 113.39 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report, Volume 7, published in September 2024, called for the creation of a construction library, stating:

“Those who design buildings, particularly higher-risk and complex buildings, would benefit from having access to a body of information, such as data from tests on products and materials, reports on serious fires and academic papers. In Chapter 112 we have referred to the Cladding Materials Library set up by the University of Queensland, which could form the basis of a valuable source of information for designers of buildings in general. We recommend that the construction regulator sponsor the development of a similar library, perhaps as part of a joint project with the University of Queensland, to provide a continuing resource for designers.”

The University of Queensland library of cladding materials https://claddingmaterialslibrary.com/ provides a catalogue and point of reference for materials that designers might be thinking of using. The database contains information about a range of products, including their performance in fire. It was originally intended to develop the resource to incorporate the results of intermediate and large-scale tests, but, the programme was discontinued.

The Inquiry report also suggested that many countries have recognised the knowledge and skills of construction professionals, including those inspecting and approving buildings, needs to be improved through a combination of initial education, formal qualifications and continuing professional development, and the need for the testing and regulation of construction products to prevent the use of dangerous or unsuitable materials.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Building Regulations – Part B.
• Building Safety Act 2022.
• Building Safety Regulator.
• Building Safety Wiki.
• Fire Safety Act 2021.
• Grenfell Tower Fire.
• Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
• Hackitt Review.
• Regulator of Construction Products.
• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• The Grenfell phase 2 final report recommendations for the construction industry.