The Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Report
“All deaths were avoidable.”
Sir Martin Moore-Bick
While we read and process the full Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, it is clear that “incompetence” is central to many of the findings, along with “dishonesty and greed”. From a social housing perspective, and more widely, it is reassuring that some of the recommendations have already been addressed by, amongst other things, the Building Safety Act and the Social Housing Act. However, these Acts give legislative and regulatory powers to enforce necessary change, but in very many cases, that change is yet to be complete.
More to follow once the details in the report have been digested, but for now, here is a summary of key recommendations:
- Regulatory System Overhaul:
- The construction industry’s regulatory system was found to be fragmented and inefficient. It was recommended that all construction-related regulatory functions be consolidated under a single, independent regulator.
- This regulator should handle tasks such as the regulation of construction products, oversight of building control, licensing contractors, and monitoring the Building Regulations.
- Improved Guidance and Standards:
- Approved Document B, which provides statutory guidance on fire safety, was criticized for being poorly worded and potentially misleading. An urgent review and continuous update of this document were recommended.
- A warning should be included in the guidance that compliance with it does not necessarily guarantee compliance with legal requirements.
- Competence and Training:
- The document highlighted widespread low competence levels in the construction industry. It was recommended that a licensing scheme for contractors working on high-risk buildings be introduced.
- The profession of fire engineering should be formally recognized, and fire engineers should be registered and regulated.
- Fire Safety Strategy:
- It was recommended that a fire safety strategy, designed by a registered fire engineer, be a mandatory requirement for the construction or refurbishment of high-risk buildings.
- Building Control:
- The document criticized the existing building control system, where local authorities and private approved inspectors both have roles. It was recommended that the potential conflict of interest in this system be reviewed, and the possibility of nationalizing building control functions be considered.
- Communication and Training:
- Improvements in the training and management of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and other fire services were recommended, including better integration of the control room into the organization and more effective communication during emergencies.
- The creation of a national College of Fire and Rescue to set and maintain standards for training and operations was suggested.
- Emergency Response and Resilience:
- The response to the Grenfell Tower fire was found to be inadequate in several respects. It was recommended that the Civil Contingencies Act be reviewed to allow for more decisive government intervention during emergencies.
- Local authorities should improve their preparedness for emergencies, including better training for staff, effective communication plans, and provision of humanitarian assistance.
- Fire Risk Assessors:
- A mandatory accreditation system for fire risk assessors was recommended to ensure their competence.
- Social Housing and Vulnerable People:
- Recommendations were made to improve the management of social housing, including better fire safety practices and communication with residents.
- The need for personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for vulnerable residents in high-rise buildings was emphasized.
These recommendations aim to address the systemic issues identified during the inquiry, focusing on improving safety, competence, and regulatory oversight in the construction and management of high-rise buildings.
