Industry responds to the final Grenfell inquiry report

[edit] Chartered Institute of Building CIOB

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has today reacted to the Grenfell Tower inquiry report.

Caroline Gumble, chief executive officer at CIOB, said: “We very much welcome the publication of the final report into the Grenfell Tower fire and will be reading it in detail to understand the implications for the construction sector in the UK.

"Improving the safety of buildings must be a priority. Although some progress has been made with the introduction of the Building Safety Act and changes to the Fire Safety Act, there is still much to do.

"We are committed to working with others across the industry to follow up on the recommendations made in the report. Every step possible must be taken to ensure such a tragedy, which has impacted the lives of so many people, can never happen again.”

[edit] Local Authority Building Control LABC

LABC response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report

'Our first thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the bereaved families and survivors who must be finding this a particularly difficult and distressing time.

We are pleased to see such a comprehensive review of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower. The Inquiry’s final report and recommendations will shape the industry for decades to come.

The Inquiry has had significant statutory powers which have enabled it to see things others could not see. Following our own internal investigations into historic activities within LABC, we note that the conclusions reached by the inquiry entirely coincide with our own.

LABC cooperated fully with the Inquiry throughout, providing detailed evidence and testimony. We can see there are justified criticisms about some of our actions at the time. LABC admitted errors at the very first opportunity and apologised immediately and repeatedly. Again, we wholeheartedly acknowledge and apologise for any areas where LABC has failed in the past.

LABC today is not the same organisation as it was. Even before the Inquiry started, we embarked on a period of radical change as an organisation. We take the Inquiry’s conclusions extremely seriously and will continue the process of reform within LABC itself, and the promotion of new standards, the building safety regime and the registration of the building control profession.

We are completely committed to playing our part in educating, building and validating the competence and standards of the building control sector so that we can help deliver safe and decent homes and buildings for all.

[edit] Electrical Contractors' Association ECA

Leading electrotechnical and engineering services body ECA has responded to the Grenfell Tower final report by welcoming changes to the Building Regulations and standards of competence in the built environment.

Close examination of the factors that contributed to the tragic Grenfell Tower fire has reinforced the importance of competence as a key factor in the safety of electrical and other installations – and ultimately, the safety of those living in the buildings ECA Members help to create.

ECA and the Fire and Security Association (FSA) made a number of influential representations to the initial Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and several subsequent reports, having listened closely to industry concerns over competence and safety.

ECA Chief Operating Officer Andrew Eldred said:

“Today’s report once again shines a spotlight on the imperative for improved standards of competence in the built environment.

“Thanks to stronger collaboration across the electrical industry in recent years, we undoubtedly find ourselves better placed to meet these higher standards than most other installer sectors, even if there is more still that needs to be done.

“Through ECA’s active participation in the Construction Leadership Council, Working Group 2 and the British Standards Institute, we are also doing all we can to assist improvements across the entire built environment – including pointing to good practice examples in the training, assessment and certification arrangements which the electrical industry already has in place.”

ECA Director of Technical and HS&E Mike Smith said:

“We welcome changes made to the Building Regulations, particularly duties to employ competent organisations and individuals, ensure collaboration within design and construction teams, mandate reporting of compliance and safety issues, and professionalise consent and approvals processes.

“Enforcement of the rules has historically been a weak spot. Which is why we strongly support the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator, to oversee changes and deploy a strict regime for higher risk buildings that continues through the life of the building.”

[edit] Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists CIAT

The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) welcomes the publication today (4 September) of the Final Report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

This was a human tragedy, and we must never forget those affected by the heartbreaking events which took place at Grenfell Tower on the night of 14 June 2017, especially the family and friends of the 72 people who lost their lives. CIAT extends its deepest sympathies to all the victims of the fire.

The Phase 2 report has identified serious failings in many areas that contributed to this tragedy. CIAT is examining the report in detail to respond to the challenges highlighted and is committed to making and supporting any changes that are necessary, individually and collectively, to improve the performance and safety of buildings for all.

CIAT, alongside other professional bodies in the built environment sector, is already taking steps to strengthen standards of education, training and professional practice. CIAT led the review of the UK Quality Assurance Agency Subject Benchmark Statement (2022) for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Architectural Technology and this included an increased and greater emphasis on building performance, regulation and safety. Following this publication, CIAT reviewed its Professional Standards Framework for Chartered Architectural Technologists to ensure these changes, alongside those arising from the Building Safety Act and the amended building regulations, were reflected. More recently, CIAT implemented a register of competent professionals to undertake the role of Principal Designer (Building Regulations) for both higher risk and non-higher risk buildings.

CIAT will carefully consider the recommendations of this final report, and where appropriate, will implement changes to improve professional practice to ensure that the UK's built environment can be safe and secure for every community.

[edit] Construction Industry Council CIC

The publication of the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is a long-awaited milestone in the response to the tragic loss of 72 lives in June 2017. It is another difficult and traumatic moment for the bereaved, the survivors and relatives of the Grenfell Tower victims and CIC recognises once again all that they have suffered and we extend our sympathy once more to all the victims.

Sir Martin Moore Bick has made many recommendations for further action in the report, based on a careful analysis of the evidence presented to the Inquiry by hundreds of witnesses and in hundreds of thousands of documents. CIC and its member organisations are now reviewing the full report and its recommendations and carefully considering the further actions that we will need to take.

Whilst much work has already been done through the independent review of building regulations and fire safety undertaken by Dame Judith Hackitt and the consequent programme of regulatory reform that has been introduced and which the industry is working hard to implement, Sir Martin has clearly identified several further matters that require attention and CIC will be working with its members, the wider industry and government to develop appropriate responses to those matters, ensuring that they are given the critical and expedient attention that they demand.

It will take time to give the thought and consideration that the report requires and for the action that is needed to address the various recommendations Sir Martin has brought forward. It is essential that government and the construction sector recognise the findings he has reported and that we learn the lessons and continue to respond to create an industry and a culture where safety, competence and compliance with the law is an absolute priority. Only then will public trust in the sector be restored.

CIC believes that every construction professional should fully familiarise themselves with the report and its recommendations, and we will work closely with our members to facilitate this process as we develop an appropriate detailed response to the report.

[edit] Construction Leadership Council CLC

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has welcomed publication today of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report. The Inquiry’s findings are a serious and comprehensive reflection of the worst of UK construction’s culture and practices; which led to a tragedy that should and could have been avoided. We fully respect those findings and offer our sympathies and condolences to the families and wider Grenfell community.

The Inquiry has also put forward a number of recommendations for both our industry and Government, to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. The CLC, as the representative body for the entire UK construction industry, will now study these recommendations and engage with industry and the Government as to how they can be taken forward through our ongoing work on building safety.

Over the past seven years the CLC and its many members have made building safety one of our highest priorities, actively working to learn from the failures at Grenfell and reform our culture, behaviours and competence. Much of that work is summarised in a recent CLC report here. Whilst progress has been made, we know that more work can and should be done to fulfil the CLC’s ambition of establishing an industry that can be trusted to deliver safe and high quality buildings for those who live and work in them. We remain fully committed to this goal.

[edit] Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA

RIBA Chair of Board Jack Pringle said:

“We welcome this thorough examination of the causes of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower and accept the report’s findings.

It is only through the objective, independent and expert analysis of the evidence so sadly created by the events of 14 June 2017 that a safer built environment can emerge.

The failures which led to the fire were system-wide, with myriad contributing factors in the years preceding, on the morning of, and in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The report makes clear that people’s safety requires reform of structures and regulations. This includes systemic change within the construction industry, and a fundamental shift in culture and behaviours. This is a collaborative endeavour and RIBA has committed to playing a leading role.

As the Inquiry also notes, RIBA has taken steps since June 2017 to improve education and training in our profession. With the benefit of these comprehensive findings, and as recommended, we will review the measures already introduced.

Many of the report’s insights and recommendations, particularly on the role and responsibilities of an architect, have great relevance for our members. We will take time to study them in detail, update our members, and continue to play an active role in the creation of a safer built environment.”

[edit] Architects Registration Board ARB

The Grenfell Tower fire was a national tragedy, and one of the UK’s worst modern disasters. On this day we remember those who died and are acutely aware of the suffering of all those who have been impacted.

The public expect architects to always act ethically and in the interest of public safety. They must take accountability for their design work, and raise without fear any concerns they may have. Informed by Dame Judith Hackitt’s earlier recommendations and enabled by new legislation in the Building Safety Act 2022, ARB has introduced a new mandatory scheme for continuing professional development, which will apply to all registered architects. ARB has also developed new Competency Outcomes that all providers of ARB accredited qualifications in architecture must meet.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report recommends that ARB review the changes we have already made to the training and education of architects, to ensure they are sufficient in the light of the Inquiry’s findings. We will do this and will publish our assessment.

The report also finds that the architects appointed on the Grenfell Tower refurbishment “fell significantly below the standard reasonably to be expected.” The Inquiry has expressed concerns that this may be widespread within the profession. We will consider those findings in further detail, and take into account the involvement of other authorities with prosecuting powers before deciding what further action may be required.

We will also take time to consider the whole of the report, including in particular the need to ensure a profound shift in culture and behaviour in the built environment sector.

[edit] Building Research Establishment BRE

“BRE welcomes the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s report and fully supports the process of ensuring that a tragedy such as this can never happen again. We have nothing but the deepest sympathy for the friends and families of those who lost their lives, and all those whose lives were changed by the fire."

“We will be reviewing the report and its recommendations and will continue to work constructively with government to ensure the new building safety and testing regime delivers on the findings of the Inquiry’s report and is fit for purpose.”

[edit] Chartered Association of Building Engineers CABE

The Publication of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry: Phase 2 Report has been long awaited and marks an important milestone in coming to terms with the causes of the tragic event of 14 June 2017. CABE acknowledges all that have suffered, and we extend our sympathies to everyone affected.

It is the culmination of a process which has exposed widespread systemic failings in the construction industry, emergency services, housing services and the government as well as in product testing, manufacture and certification.

The concluding report has made significant recommendations. It is vital that the necessary lessons are learned and that everybody, and every organisation, commits to a culture where safety and compliance is paramount.

The Association is now reviewing the full report and its recommendations, giving careful consideration to next steps. As an industry, and as a society, we are beholden to act in response to those findings and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report must be required reading for every Building Engineer and construction professional.

As a Professional Body, CABE is committed to working collaboratively with residents, our Members, other professional and industry bodies, regulators and the Government to continue to further reform our sector. We have already taken important steps to support improved competence and capability but fully recognise that there is much more to do before we can expect trust in our industry to be restored.

CABE is dedicated to continuing the reform journey for as long as it takes to ensure that buildings are safe for everyone now and in the future

On behalf of Chartered Association of Building Engineers

[edit] Trade association for the electrical contracting industry in Scotland SELECT

The campaigning body says it agrees with inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick that the sector needs “fundamental change” to avoid a repeat of the tragic blaze in which 72 people lost their lives in June 2017. Among the many recommendations in yesterday’s damning report, Sir Martin said the sector should appoint a construction regulator to oversee all aspects of the industry. And SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson says such a suggestion underlines the urgent need for regulation of the electrical industry, which it has been tirelessly campaigning for over the past ten years.

Mr Wilson said: “As an organisation which has always put safety first and foremost, we welcome the call from the Grenfell Inquiry for an industry regulator and we can only reiterate that this report reinforces the absolute importance of regulation in our sector. We have been calling for similar measures for more than a decade but despite significant cross-party support, our pleas have so far fallen on deaf ears among those who have the power – but apparently not the will – to make it happen."

“When is the government going to act? Will it take another disaster for it to wake up and do something? Grenfell should be a catalyst for real change and the politicians have the power in their hands to make that happen and step up and act on regulation. Electrical safety is a very real issue and regulation of the industry would help eliminate the risks posed by unqualified people carrying out potentially dangerous work.”

Mr Wilson said SELECT’s long-running campaign had attracted support from MPs and MSPs of all parties, who all agreed about the importance of professionalism, transparency and safety in construction procedures.

He added: “We have a draft Bill ready to go and now’s the chance for the Scottish Parliament to use its powers and be a leader in the changes which we need. There can’t be short cuts or quick fixes. This report reinforces the importance of always using suitably qualified professionals in safety-critical work and SELECT will continue to work hard behind the scenes to ensure working conditions are safe for contractors.”

The campaign for protection of title for the profession of electrician has been pursued over the course of many years by SELECT in partnership with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), Unite the Union and other industry bodies. The campaigns aims to make it a statutory offence for someone to call themselves an electrician when they have no, or inadequate, qualifications, and to make sure that those who work in the industry do so in a safe and competent manner.

SELECT has set up a Wall of Support for backers to add their voice to the cause, with recent additions including former Transport Minister Kevin Stewart and Conservative MSPs Craig Hoy and Oliver Mundell. Cross-party support was also evident in a recent episode of SELECT’s Sparks’ Remarks podcast, with Tories Jamie Halcro-Johnston and Brian Whittle and Labour’s Monica Lennon all reinforcing their backing for the campaign.

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