Yesterday, the Government published a document which sets out its response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 1 report of October 2019.
There are a number of actions being taken by the Government to ensure that a tragedy like Grenfell never happens again. These actions are largely based on Dame Judith’s recommendations in her independent review of building safety.
The upcoming Fire Safety Bill, borne as a direct result of the Grenfell Tower disaster, will:
“place new and enhanced regulatory regimes for building safety and construction products, and ensure residents have a stronger voice in the system………and to clarify the scope of the Fire Safety Order (2005) for fire doors for domestic premises of multiple occupancy, including front entrance doors.”
The Fire Safety Bill will further provide clearer accountability and stronger duties for those responsible for the safety of their buildings, particularly high rise buildings, and strengthen enforcement and sanctions to deter non-compliance with the new regime.
As fire door fitters, we welcome this report wholeheartedly, and look forward to when the new Bill is passed. Building owners, operators and landlords must then fully comply with their statutory duties to ensure all their buildings fire doors are fit for purpose. This may require door replacements, or maintaining the doors back to their originally intended fire rating.
The full report can be found here >> Government Response to Grenfell Inquiry Phase 1 Report
