The new Building Safety Bill puts fire door certification at the heart of new building projects from inception, helping to safeguard thousands of lives each year.
There is currently a lot of debate about the proposed law, which could possibly be one of the most important bits of legislation to affect our sector for some years.
It comes in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy and the intention is to ensure that buildings are as safe as they can be, while identifying who, ultimately, has responsibility for different aspects of that safety.
A review of building regulations and fire safety was carried out by Dame Judith Hackitt, who published her final report in 2018. Many of her recommendations have now been adopted into a draft bill for consideration and consultation before it goes to Parliament and is, potentially, passed into law this summer.
Richard Kowalski, Technical Manager – Door Division, at Stairways Midlands, said; “It has many elements to it is but one of the key ones for Stairways Midlands is that it puts fire door safety – and certification – at the start of a process rather than something which can come as an afterthought.
“This is a very important move for the industry, one that is long over-due and can only help drive up standards and improve safety across the country.
“It means basic information on fire safety, and fire certificates specifically, will be there to ensure proper maintenance can be carried out. The building owner will be responsible for this.
“This can now be managed digitally, rather than there being reams of paper in an office, so it makes it easier and safer for everyone.”
Another important element of the Bill is that, for the first time, there will be a New Homes Ombudsman. This will be a regulated body that homeowners can go to with problems with new buildings and who can hold builders accountable.
Richard will be speaking about the implications of the Building Safety Bill on a webinar on March 31, at 10.30, for Rutland. Click here to register.
Read more about the Bill and how it could help the industry forward in our blog from Richard Kowalski.
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