The Royal Institute of British Architects is recommending the creation of a licencing scheme for principal contractors.
The proposal is part of RIBA's additional response to the Grenfell Inquiry's final report recommendations published on 4 September.
RIBA accepted the report’s findings. Following its review, it is recommending regulatory, structural and operational changes in the construction industry, including:
Regulatory
- Exploring the idea of a single statutory body, like that of the Engineering Council, to ensure a comprehensive competence system for construction professionals
- Reviewing and extending the definition of higher-risk buildings to include assembly buildings and temporary leisure establishments
- Urgently undertake a holistic review of Approved Document B
- Both staircases in new residential buildings over 18m should be required to function as fire-fighting staircases
- Refurbishing existing single staircases in residential buildings over 18m with appropriate safety measures as ‘consequential improvements’ where a building is subject to 'material alterations'
- A broader use of sprinklers across new and converted buildings where there is a higher risk to vulnerable occupants.
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Structural
- The responsibility for the functions relating to fire safety is brought under a single secretary of state
- That the proposed role of chief construction advisor is a suitably qualified person – for example, a chartered professional
- Creation of an organisational level licencing scheme for principal contractors.
Operational
- Independent research and development to restore trust in construction product testing standards
- Reviewing the role of contracts and procurement processes in defining the obligations and agency of the different members of the client, design and construction teams
- Making any safety critical guidance freely available.
- Developing residential personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for all people who identify as or are identified as requiring one, in all residential buildings of 11m or higher.
Significant steps to enhance training and education
RIBA's chair of board, Jack Pringle, said: "The full findings of the Inquiry’s report make a clear case for further regulatory, structural and operational change, alongside a fundamental shift in culture and behaviours – and we remain fully committed to playing our part.
"As the professional body for architects, we have taken significant steps since June 2017 to enhance training and education, including but not limited to our mandatory Health and Safety test and our Principal Designer Register. As recommended, we are reviewing these measures, ensuring our members maintain the highest standards of professional competence.
"To help deliver a comprehensive competence system for professionals across the construction industry, we suggest exploring a model similar to that of the current Engineering Council. This could take the form of a single statutory body for all construction professional bodies which should set processes that all professional bodies certifying the competence of individuals, including architects, must meet."
