Hackitt Report a Step in the Right Direction

Following today’s publication of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has welcomed the system-wide approach to fire safety contained in the final report and the surprise inclusion of other types of multi occupied buildings – those fewer than 10 storeys – as part of the report. CIEH has been lobbying to ensure that these buildings are included and acknowledged in this pivotal Review.

Commissioned by the Government following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety was led by Dame Judith Hackitt, with a purpose to make recommendations ensuring a robust regulatory system for the future and to provide further assurance to residents that the buildings they live in are safe.

The review examined building and fire safety regulations and related compliance and enforcement, with a focus on high rise residential buildings. The final report sets out over 50 recommendations for government as to how to deliver a more robust regulatory system for the future.

Tamara Sandoul, Housing Policy Manager at CIEH, said:

“We strongly welcome the final report and look to the Government to take action quickly in order to make high rise buildings safe places to live in and to reassure occupants that they are well protected from danger. First and foremost, all homes should be safe and healthy places to live and everyone needs to have confidence in the way in which their building is being managed. 

We are delighted that the final report acknowledges the need to tackle fire safety in other types of multi-occupied buildings – such as large houses badly converted into flats. We shouldn’t ignore issues with fire safety, whether the building is above or below 18 metres. We would like the Government to further clarify responsibility and enforcement of fire safety within these types of buildings.

Considering the breadth of this report, we now call on the Government to set up the Joint Competent Authority as a priority so it can look in detail at vital issues such as cladding, sprinklers, and fire escapes.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Please see here for a full copy of Dame Judith Hackitt’s report.

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About the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH):   

CIEH is the professional voice for environmental health representing more than 8,000 members working in the public, private and non-profit sectors. It ensures the highest standards of professional competence in its members, in the belief that through environmental health action people's health can be improved. 

Environmental health has an important and unique contribution to make to improving public health and reducing health inequalities. CIEH campaigns to ensure that government policy addresses the needs of communities and business in achieving and maintaining improvements to health and health protection.  

For more information visit www.cieh.org and follow the CIEH on Twitter.