Written Ministerial Statement
A Written Ministerial Statement was laid yesterday on fire safety and evacuation proposals; on the recognition of CE (‘Conformité Européenne’) marking for construction products; and on updates to Approved Document B to remove references to outdated National Classes fire testing standards and make provision for sprinklers in new care homes.
The statement can be found here.
In summary this means that:
- Fire Safety and Evacuation – Proposals will be brought forward in the Autumn to improve the fire safety and evacuation of disabled/vulnerable residents in high-rise and higher-risk residential buildings in England. These proposals will be called ‘Residential PEEPs’.
- CE Marking – An extension of the recognition of CE marking for construction products in Great Britain. This extension, and the longer-term future of CE/UKCA marking, is conditional on a commitment from the Government to system wide reform of the construction products regulatory regime.
- National Classes – Manufacturers will now have to ensure that their products are classified to the European standard. For fire resistance products, there will be a 5-year transition period for retesting and for reaction to fire a 6-month transition period.
- Sprinklers in care homes – Sprinklers will now need to be provided in all new care homes. Organisations will benefit from a 6-month transition period until the guidance comes into effect. Any project depositing an application before this date will then have 6 months to sufficiently progress work on site.
You will find the update to Approved Document B here.
Building Control Practice Guidance: Cancellation notices, transfers and reversions
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published guidance for local authorities, registered building control approvers, and persons carrying out building work.
The guidance can be found here.
British Standard Code of Practice for Competence of Fire Risk Assessors – now available for public comment
This British Standard gives recommendations for competence criteria to be met by individuals undertaking general fire risk assessments, i.e. assessment of the probability and consequences of fire and the identification and evaluation of fire risk, in occupied buildings.
The recommendations in this British Standard are based on the recommendations and core competence criteria set out in BS 8670-1, with specific regard to life safety fire risk assessment of the measures for fire precautions provided within a building.
The period for public comment will end on 15 October 2024. More information can be found here.
