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Last edited 17 Jan 2025
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RIBA responds in detail to the final Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report

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Contents

[edit] Background and industry responses

On 4 September 2024 the Grenfell phase 2 final report recommendations were published, and industry responses to the final Grenfell Inquiry report were released in the days and weeks that followed the publication of the final report.

[edit] Initial RIBA response

At that time, RIBA Chair of the 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 that 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] Second detailed response

On 16 January 2025, some 4 months later, after a detailed study, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) shared its further and more detailed response to the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report’s recommendations, with its own series of suggestions, recommendations, and further opportunities for change.

In its summary, the RIBA categorises its recommendations in areas of regulatory, structural, and operational change. In detail, these cover not only the architectural profession but also extend to the role of government, in calling for a Chief Construction Advisor, with fire safety brought under a single Secretary of State and a drawing together of functions relating to the construction industry into a single regulator. It agrees with reviewing the definition of higher-risk buildings and calls for its extension, with, as a starting point, temporary leisure establishments and assembly buildings included in the definition, along with recommendations for the approved guidance documents, an extended contractors licensing scheme and more.

[edit] Brief notes on the second formal response

[edit] Guidance documents

It recommends a clearer amendment tracking system for guidance documents, noting the now various documents relating to Approved Document B (historical documents and future changes), as well as noting that it has for a long time called for a holistic review of part B. It agrees with the Inquiry's suggestion of a warning in each section that legal requirements are contained in the Building Regulations and that compliance with the guidance will not necessarily result in compliance with them. It also supports the 'development of mandatory technical guidance that sets definitive boundaries for certain key issues (such as travel distances, evacuation lifts, and numbers of staircases). This guidance should result in compliance with the relevant functional requirements of the regulations.'

[edit] Expanded contractors licensing scheme

As with the final Inquiry report, the RIBA also looks to the wider industry, agreeing with the notion of a contractors licensing scheme, though not just for higher-risk buildings as the Inquiry suggests but across the board: 'There is a concern about competence across many building types. We believe the responsibility should be at an organisational level, rather than individual.'

[edit] Product testing standards and library

It also calls for independent research and development in construction product testing standards, agreeing with the inclusion of the academic community, noting that 'the trust in testing that we had relied upon in the past has been undermined.' The RIBA would welcome the construction regulator sponsoring the development of a cladding materials library but notes that it would need to be accessible and not sit behind a paywall. It would support working with the government and the wider built environment sector to make wider safety-critical standards freely available.

[edit] Building control improvements

Regarding the nationalisation of building control, it notes that feedback on changes already introduced to regulate Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs) and Registered Building Control Approvers (RBCAs) seems to have been having a positive impact on affecting behaviours and sanctions being imposed for breaches of codes of conduct. So recommends a 'period of bedding in of the current regime followed by a review to assess the efficacy of the new system. If failings persist, then it may be pertinent to consider nationalisation as the report suggests.'

[edit] Fire Risk Assessors and a College of Fire and Rescue

In terms of fire risk assessors and a college of fire and rescue, it fully agrees with the recommendations, noting that members rely on the advice of fire engineers; assurance that those providing this advice are competent and qualified to do so is important, but currently not necessarily that easy to ascertain. For example, it notes that 'calculating the likely rate of fire spread and the time required for evacuation, including the evacuation of those with physical or mental impairments, are matters for a qualified fire engineer.' It therefore welcomes the recommendation for the government to establish a system of mandatory accreditation to certify the competence of fire risk assessors, setting standards for qualification and CPD.

[edit] Further comments recommendation from the RIBA

The RIBA acknowledges the Inquiry’s report as being thorough and wide-ranging; it identifies areas of work that would help improve the safety of the built environment.

These cover three areas:

For further information read 'the full report RIBA formal response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report recommendations'

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[edit] External links

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