The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed it will introduce primary legislation to regulate the fire engineering profession, aimed at strengthening public safety and raising professional accountability.
The government has concurrently published its plans for a single construction regulator, which complements the fire engineering proposals by placing them within a wider reform of professional oversight across the built environment.
The changes follow recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2, which highlighted that the high-risk profession of fire engineering appears to lack a coherent educational foundation and clear, consistent requirements for entry to the profession.
Under the proposals for the fire engineering profession, the legislation would:
- define the statutory functions of fire engineers, including the design, delivery and periodic review of fire safety strategies;
- establish the legal basis for regulation, creating consistent professional standards and robust enforcement;
- clarify the relationship between fire engineers and all relevant dutyholders, reinforcing that safety responsibilities should be shared, but clearly delineated.
As part of the changes, only registered individuals would be legally permitted to use the title ‘fire engineer’ or carry out restricted fire-engineering functions and activities.
Several detailed policy decisions are yet to be confirmed ahead of the public consultation in 2026, including, among other factors:
- the relationship between the fire engineer and other roles during the occupation phase (including fire risk assessors);
- variations in life safety risk across different building types, uses, and occupancy demographics;
- the implications for existing regulations and legislation related to buildings and fire safety;
- the potential impacts or costs for residents, contractors, employers and wider society.
Single construction regulator
As part of the government’s wider reforms, plans for the new construction regulator aim to support a new system of regulatory oversight and enforcement for certain high-risk professions.
The government hopes this will deliver greater confidence in competence and accountability, with the fire engineering profession highlighted as a starting point.
Alongside its prospectus for the new regulator, the government has launched a consultation which seeks views on the plans from across the construction sector.
This will inform the final plans, and a full response to the consultation will provide more detail on regulatory reform – set to be published in summer 2026.
Effectiveness, consistency and efficiency
Samantha Dixon, minister for building safety, fire and democracy, insisted the proposals show how the government is learning from the Grenfell tragedy and what it is doing to “improve the effectiveness, consistency and efficiency of the construction sector”.
“The case for reform is strong – one regulator across the entire construction system will be better able to review evidence, identify risks, issues and opportunities, as well as support action with enforcement where it is necessary,” Dixon said.
Andy Roe, executive chair of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), added: “The journey toward a single regulator is a decisive and important step in strengthening building safety. Over the past few months, we have worked hard to speed up the application processes within the BSR for new high-rise residential buildings and are already seeing positive changes.
“The BSR’s role will evolve as we move to a new body and, in longer time, toward the single regulator, through a carefully managed transition. Throughout this process, we will continue our commitment to collaboration and delivering a regulatory system that keeps residents safe and supports essential construction.”
Proposed changes are ‘a significant step’
Commenting on the announcement, Eddie Tuttle, CIOB director of policy, external affairs and research, said improving quality and safety must always be a key priority for everyone in every part of the built environment sector to avoid future tragedies and ensure all buildings are safe for those who occupy them.
“The publication of this prospectus outlining a single construction regulator for all functions relating to the construction industry, is a significant step and we will be reviewing it in detail and responding in the early part of 2026,” Tuttle added.
“We encourage our members and those across the industry to read what the prospectus outlines.”
The consultation will close on 20 March 2026.
