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 small 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 original intention was 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.

On 26 February 2025, the Government published its response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. This accepted the recommendation for the creation of a digitaly-based construction library giving better access to information, resources and test results stating; "we are considering options to best support access to data from tests on products and materials and broader fire safety and performance information as part of wider construction product reforms." and "...we will establish a Construction Library as the platform to make information such as test results available and to provide wider material such as reports on serious fires and academic papers. We will also introduce greater transparency to claims made by manufacturers, with tighter rules around marketing and increased traceability of information."

The government also published a green paper on proposals for institutional and regulatory reform of the construction products regime. It sets out a range of proposals for construction products reform, including proposals that address the Inquiry‘s recommendations. The green paper also serves as the government’s response to the Independent Review of Product Testing and Certification (the Morrell-Day Review - Testing for a Safer Future).

It proposes; "Establishing a library for construction products that will serve as a central repository for vital information related to construction products. This library will house data such as test results, certificates of compliance, and relevant academic research. By linking this library to the national regulator, the government aims to enhance public access to crucial data, supporting better decision-making throughout the construction sector."

It states: "We are proposing to establish a construction library. We think the library could fulfil a valuable role as a trusted source for all those that need access to information about the safe and appropriate use of products, whether that’s the national regulator, industry professionals or the general public. We are exploring how best to facilitate this.
We agree that a library would be an important source of information for designers of complex and high-rise buildings but think that the library should hold a broader suite of information to support our wider goal of ensuring safe products which are safely used."

Extensive recommendations for clear accessible information and the construction library are set out in Chapter 7 of the green paper.

[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.
• Testing for a Safer Future.
• The Grenfell phase 2 final report recommendations for the construction industry.