The British Government has established a comprehensive Building Safety Programme to ensure that residents of high rise blocks of flats are safe and feel safe, now and in the future.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said that it covers high rise residential buildings over 18 metres, including hotels, and will support building owners with the aid of local fire and rescue services and a panel of independent expert advisers.
Building owners are being asked to take immediate steps to ensure their residents’ safety and in making decisions on any remedial work that is necessary to do.
The programme is working with building owners, housing providers, schools, hospitals and the construction industry, including an Industry Response Group.
Following the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017, the Government appointed an expert panel, chaired by Sir Ken Knight, to advise the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on immediate measures needed to ensure building safety and to help identify buildings of concern.
At the beginning of September the panel’s remit was extended and widened to include other building safety issues. The panel’s members have a wealth of experience in fire and building safety, including testing processes, and are drawing in wider technical expertise as necessary to inform their advice to the Government.
The Government said it is aware that local authorities and other building owners are also seeking clarification of actions they should take in relation to buildings with other external wall systems. The expert panel will consider these issues after the systems tests are addressed.
In consultation with the Independent Expert Advisory Panel, MHCLG has also provided advice to building owners about common non-ACM external wall systems, including ones using Metal Composite Materials, High Pressure Laminates (HPL) or External Wall Insulation (EWI) with a render or brick-slip finish.
