CDP 2019 0065

DEBATE PACK
Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
Fire safety and sprinkler By Ed Potton

Nikki Sutherland
systems
Contents
This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held on Westminster 1. Background 2
Hall on Tuesday 12 March 2019 from 9.30-11am on fire safety and sprinkler 1.1 Background: Fire safety,
systems. The subject for the debate has been selected by the Backbench building regulations and
Approved Document B 2
Business Committee and the debate will be opened by Jim Fitzpatrick MP and Sir
Hackitt Review 3
David Amess MP. 1.2 Consultation on
Approved document B 4
1.3 Sprinklers in Scotland
and Wales 5
1.4 Fire Safety and Schools 6
1.5 Comment on changes
to Approved Document
B 9
2. News items 12
3. Press releases 14
4. Parliamentary
material 24
Debates 24
Statements 25
Ten-minute Rule Bill 25
PQs 25
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2 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
1. Background
On 26 February 2019 Jim Fitzpatrick and David Amess (who are leading
the debate) set out their reasons for requesting this debate to the
Committee. Mr Fitzpatrick said: 1
The all-party parliamentary fire safety and rescue group—David is
the chair and I am the secretary—strongly supports this bid to
debate sprinklers. Sprinklers have been covered in a number of
debates, especially post-Grenfell, but there has been no specific
debate on fire sprinklers since February 2014, five years ago.
There is a patchwork approach across the United Kingdom, with
new regulations coming in in Scotland. Some have been
introduced already, and others are coming in in 2021. There are
new regulations in Wales on the requirement of fire sprinklers in
residential properties, but there has not been much progress in
England, despite a national campaign by the National Fire Chiefs
Council.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has
a consultation at the moment on Approved Document B, which is
the guidance document covering fire sprinkler systems. The
consultation closes soon and the Department will be considering
this issue, so it is topical. Following Grenfell, obviously people are
worried about a number of issues in terms of high-rise flats in
their constituencies and the cost of replacements and remedial
firework that has been going on. There are issues in care homes,
residential places for elderly vulnerable people and, in particular,
schools. There was a requirement for fire sprinklers in schools,
from the 2008 guidance, which we would argue has been
weakened. We are engaged in a lobby with the Department for
Education about that. This would give the opportunity to
articulate that.
Finally, we have a campaign running by the National Fire Chiefs
Council on fire sprinklers, so we think the subject is relevant,
topical and well supported, and we would very much welcome a
90-minute debate in Westminster Hall. We hope the Committee
will be able to afford us that.
1.1 Background: Fire safety, building

regulations and Approved Document B
Any new-build or refurbished building must comply with the Building
Regulations 2010 (as amended). The technical requirements for new
construction that must be met under the regulations are set out in
Approved Documents. These provide practical guidance on how to
comply with the requirements of the regulations, and also reference
more detailed British Standards and other guidance.
It is the responsibility of anyone carrying out building work to ensure
compliance with the regulations. The Government website provides
information on when building regulations approval is required. Any
major work should be regularly checked by either local authority
building control or an independent inspector to ensure compliance.
Local Authorities are responsible for enforcement.
1
Backbench Business Committee: Representations, 26 February 2019
Fire safety and sprinkler systems 3
Approved Document B covers fire safety. In Approved Document B

sprinkler systems are recognised as a potential method of fire
suppression. They can be used with other fire safety methods to
manage fire risk. Under the Approved Document they are compulsory
for flats 30m tall or higher.
During a debate on the Hackitt Review in May 2018, the Secretary of
State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (James
Brokenshire) set out the Government’s position on Sprinklers: 2
… Our advice on sprinklers is clear: for new blocks over 30 metres
in height, statutory guidance states that sprinklers should be
fitted. For existing buildings, it is for the building owner to decide
whether to retrofit. Sprinklers can be an effective fire safety
measure, but they are one of many such measures that could be
adopted and, as Dame Judith Hackitt points out in her report, no
single fire safety measure, including sprinklers, can be seen as a
panacea.
Fire safety law and responsibilities are governed by the Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The 2005 Order applies to all non-
domestic premises, including communal areas of flats. The Order
designates those in control of premises as the responsible person for fire
safety and this duty normally falls on landlords, building owners or
building managers. They have a duty to ensure that a risk assessment is
carried out to identify hazards and risks, and remove and reduce these
as far as possible. The responsible person then ensures a set of
appropriate measures are in place to achieve fire safety. Guidance sets
out the measures that can be taken. The fire risk assessment may be
affected by any new issues that arise during the building’s lifetime. The
order is enforced by the local fire authority. Compliance with the fire
safety order is ongoing whereas compliance with building regulations
relates to new or refurbished buildings at the time of the work (or when
approval was granted).
Hackitt Review
Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Government asked Dame Judith
Hackitt to lead a review of building regulations and fire safety, which
reported in May 2018. The Library briefing Building Regulations and
Safety: Review and Reforms (January 2019) provides an overview of the
findings and the Government’s response.
Following the publication of the Hackitt Review, the Government
indicated it would fully respond to the review with an implementation
plan in Autumn 2018; it also commenced a number of more immediate
actions including clarifying Approved Document B on fire safety and a
change to building regulations to ban the use of combustible materials
on the external walls of new high-rise residential buildings.
On 18 December 2018, the Government made a Written Statement
providing a building safety update and announced the publication of an
2
HC Deb 17 May 2018 c464
4 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
implementation plan, 3 noting that they had taken account of over 200
responses to the Hackitt Review: 4
…The Review identified failings in the regulatory system and
made recommendations to address them. We have heard from
over 200 people in response to the Review and have analysed
those responses. We have also learnt from the remediation
process and from other issues that have been investigated over
the last 18 months to formulate our response.
In the statement the Secretary of State reported that the
implementation plan “sets out the far-reaching programme of work the
Government now intends to take to ensure people who live in
residential high-rise buildings are safe and feel safe, now and in the
future.” It noted four areas of work:
• A more effective regulatory and accountability framework;
• Clearer standards and guidance, and product safety;
• Putting residents at the heart of the building safety system;
• Driving culture change and a more responsible industry.
The implementation plan sets out the planned actions, consultations,
potential legislation and timing. This included a review of Approved
Document B.
1.2 Consultation on Approved document B

The Government consultation on a Technical review of Approved
Document B of the building regulations: a call for evidence, opened on
18 December 2018 and closed 1 March 2019. The consultation asked
for comments on a range of topics in the Approved Document. It does
not cover buildings with specific requirements such as hospitals and
schools. A consultation on fire safety in schools opened on 8 March
2019 (see below).
The consultation specifically highlighted sprinklers as an area for
consideration and comment, noting: 5
Sprinklers and other Fire Suppression systems
42.Fire suppression systems such as sprinkler and water mist
systems can form an effective part of an overall fire strategy,
particularly in tall buildings, where they are provided in
accordance with the relevant British Standard. Approved
Document B already includes provisions for their use where the
risk has been considered to justify the extra protection. Currently
systems are required for flats in high rise blocks over 30 metres
tall, as well as offices, shops/commercial, assembly/recreation and
other non-residential buildings. Sprinklers are also identified as a
potential alternative to other fire protection measures.
43.There is a body of evidence available on the costs, benefits,
and impacts of installing sprinkler systems. Many of these studies
relate to the retrofitting of sprinkler systems to existing buildings.
Generally, Building Regulations only apply where building work is
3
Also MHCLG Press Release “Brokenshire introduces tougher regulatory system for
building safety”, 18 December 2018
4
HCWS1201 [Building Safety update] 18 December 2018
5
MHCLG, Technical Review of Approved Document B of the Building Regulations: A
Call for Evidence, December 2018
being carried out and so Approved Document B cannot be used

to require the retrofit of sprinkler systems on all existing buildings.
44.Evidence regarding the installation of sprinkler systems, in new
buildings was undertaken by the Welsh Assembly Government
and more recently by Scottish Government. The Government will
review this and any further information provided in response to
this call for evidence. The question of whether property protection
of buildings should be taken into account by the Building
Regulations is clearly an important consideration.
45.A further issue will be whether to change the height threshold
currently used to recommend sprinkler systems in blocks of flats
(see above section on height thresholds) and the inclusion of
other types of building.
1.3 Sprinklers in Scotland and Wales

Building regulations are a devolved matter.
Wales
In Wales the legal basis of building regulations are the same as England
but they have been amended by the Welsh Assembly. A legal
requirement for automatic fire suppression systems has been introduced
in Wales in two parts:
• From 2014 the Building Regulations were extended (and
Approved Document B was updated) to require fire suppression
systems for care homes, children’s residential homes, boarding
houses, halls of residences and hostels other than hostels
intended for temporary accommodation for leisure purposes (e.g.
not Youth Hostels or backpacker’s hostels);
• In 2016 the Building Regulations were extended (and Approved
Document B was updated) for the requirement to cover to houses
and flats.
Sprinklers are a type of fire suppression system that release water at the
fire location to restrict fire growth and spread. Other types of
suppression system include gaseous and water mist systems.
Scotland
Scotland have their own system of building regulations. Existing
regulations (introduced in 2005) require the provision of sprinklers in: 6
• dwellings which form part of a sheltered housing complex;
• high rise domestic buildings (18m or higher);
• enclosed shopping centres;
• residential care buildings;
• school buildings other than a building forming part of an existing
school or an extension to a school building where it is not
reasonably practicable to install an automatic fire suppression
system in that building or extension.
The Scottish Government have consulted on extending the requirement
for automatic fire suppression systems to HMOs used for care 24/7,
large HMOs (10 or more residents) and all flats and expect to introduce
6
Scottish Government, Building Standards technical handbook 2017: non-domestic
buildings, para 2.15
6 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
legislation on this in 2019. They have also indicated they will require all
new build social housing to be fitted with such systems. 7
1.4 Fire Safety and Schools

Advice on fire safety in schools is set out on a gov.uk webpage. As with
other buildings there is a need for new school buildings to meet current
building regulations, and all school buildings are required to undertake
fire safety risk assessments (under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005 – see above). Further information is given in a specific guide
for schools: Fire safety risk assessment: educational premises .
The use of Sprinklers in schools, and the related guidance, has been a
recent subject of debate. The current version of Government guidance
Building Bulletin 100: Design for fire safety in schools was published on
29 July 2007, and the summary states:
Sprinkler systems installed in buildings can significantly reduce the
degree of damage caused by fire and can reduce the risk to life.
On 1 March 2007, DCSF announced the new policy on sprinklers
and their value as a measure against the risk of fire and arson. All
new schools should have fire sprinklers installed except in a few
low risk schools.
The related guidance sets out the risk assessments that should take
place to determine the validity of using sprinklers in new school
buildings. 8
In October 2015 there was a debate in Westminster Hall on fire safety in
schools in which Members encouraged the Government to increase the
use of sprinkler systems in schools. The Minister, Nick Gibb, responded
and provided background as well as Government policy at the time: 9
…The context to the debate is a very welcome reduction in the
number of fires in schools over the past 15 years. In 2001, there
were 1,300 fires in schools. By 2014, the number had fallen by
more than half to just 600. The tireless work of campaigners
including my hon. Friend the Member for Southend West,
alongside preventive efforts from schools and fire services, has no
doubt made a significant contribution to the improvement.
Indeed, there have been no fatal casualties caused by fire in
schools from 2000 to 2014, which is the most recent year for
which we have data. Securing further reductions in the number of
fires, and in their impact when they do occur, remains a priority
for the Department for Education.
Newly constructed school buildings, as well as extensions and
major refurbishments of existing blocks, must comply with part B
(Fire safety) of the Building Regulations 2010. The Department
applies the regulations to schools in more detail through “Building
Bulletin 100”, which sets rigorous standards to ensure that works
make sufficient provision for the health and safety of their
occupants. The design must include adequate means of escape,
firefighting equipment, automatic detection systems and fire
7
Scottish Government, Making Scotland's buildings safer for people: consultation, 4
July 2018 and Ministerial Working Group takes action to improve fire safety, 6
December 2018
8
DCSF, Building Bulletin 100: Design for fire safety in schools, 2007, p31
9
HC Deb 22 October 2015 c448-60WH
signage provisions. The construction materials used must be fire-

resistant. Suitable fire doors to contain the spread of any fire must
be used throughout the building. A written fire safety
management plan is required to be produced as part of the
documents to be provided to the school before the occupation of
the school building.
The Department plans to consult on a revised “Building Bulletin
100” in 2016, which will incorporate revisions to relevant
regulations. In addition, all school buildings, including those
already built, must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire
Safety) Order 2005, which requires all schools to be maintained to
ensure adequate fire resistance and resistance to the spread of
flames. There should be adequate fire precautions in place to
allow the safe escape of occupants in case of fire. The order also
requires them to conduct regular termly drills, so that pupils and
staff can evacuate the school quickly in the case of fire. The
school’s fire safety systems require regular maintenance and
testing, with the activities recorded in the school fire safety
logbook by the responsible person in the school.
He went on to respond specifically on the use of sprinklers in schools:
…My hon. Friend the Member for Southend West made a
compelling argument for the inclusion of sprinkler systems in all
new buildings. He knows that these are not required under the
current building regulations or the Department’s building bulletin
standards, which set out measures for the purposes of health and
safety, not for the protection of property. The value of sprinklers is
in limiting the damage to buildings caused by fires. They are less
useful in protecting the occupants of buildings, because they are
no substitute for well-functioning alarms, sufficient evacuation
routes and effective emergency procedures. Sprinklers are
activated only by intense, direct heat. The sprinkler must reach
68°C before being activated—I believe that happens by wax
melting in the mechanism—by which point the temperature of
other parts of the room will be significantly higher. They are
therefore not an immediate fire suppression system, and they are
not activated by smoke, which is the most significant cause of
injury and deaths from fires. The building regulations and building
bulletin therefore include provision for the use of sprinklers and
other fire suppression systems where the risk justifies their use,
rather than a blanket requirement that they must be included in
all new schools.
The number of deliberate cases of arson in schools has fallen from
746 in 2004 to five in 2012-13 and one in 2013-14. There has
been a significant drop in the numbers of fires started deliberately
in schools but, as my hon. Friends the Members for Southend
West and for Eastbourne would say, one is one too many.
In circumstances where there is a significantly higher risk of fire—
perhaps because of local problems with arson, for example—a
local authority may reach the view that it is appropriate to include
sprinkler systems in a new or refurbished school building for a
maintained school. In such circumstances, the Department is
prepared to include sprinklers in the specification for a school built
under the priority schools building programme, but would expect
the local authority to meet the additional cost of installing them.
If, following a risk assessment, an academy being rebuilt through
the priority schools building programme were deemed to require
sprinklers, the Department would meet that cost.
8 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
This approach represents a careful balancing of the risk of fire

damage to school buildings with the significant cost of installing
sprinklers. Including sprinklers in new school buildings would add
between 2% and 6% to the cost of works. This year alone, we
are spending £2 billion on new school buildings, so that would
therefore represent an extra cost of between £40 million and
£120 million. If we were to go even further, adding sprinklers to a
major school refurbishment project would typically add about
10% to the cost.
The Department’s assessment is that the additional spending
would significantly outweigh any relatively modest saving from
preventing some damage to school buildings. That is especially
the case as we continue to prioritise work to prevent school
fires…
A draft revised version of Building Bulletin 100 was circulated for
consultation in July 2016. This was reported to weaken the
requirements for sprinklers in schools and attracted criticism (see for
example Association for British Insurers Government warned against
abandoning school sprinkler guidance 16 August 2016). Following the
Grenfell Tower fire, it was reported that this change to the rules for
schools would not now be taken forward (see “Ministers in abrupt U-
turn over fire safety in schools”, The Observer, 24 June 2017).
A PQ from February 2018 notes that data is not held on the fitting of
sprinklers in all new schools:
As not all new schools in England are commissioned by the
Department for Education, the Department does not hold data on
the proportion of all new schools that have been built with or
without sprinklers since 2010. The Department does hold
information on the centrally funded Priority Schools Building
Programme (PSBP). Of the 260 schools in phase one of PSBP, 74
have, or are planned to have, sprinklers fitted. As schools under
phase two of PSBP are still in the early design stage, it is not yet
clear which may require sprinklers at this time.
The Department does not hold comprehensive data on the
number of free schools fitted with sprinklers as schools developed
under the free schools programme were originally managed by
the individual free school proposer groups. The Department is
doing further work that will enable us to provide figures on
sprinklers fitted in all schools delivered centrally by the Education
and Skills Funding Agency.
Alongside the rest of Government, the Department will take
forward findings from the independent review of Building
Regulations and Fire Safety, and from the Public Inquiry into the
tragic Grenfell Tower fire.
In February 2018 the Labour Party announced a policy that all new
schools would be fitted with Sprinklers (“Labour commits to sprinklers
in all new school buildings”, Labour.org.uk, 18 February 2018)
On 8 March 2019 a ‘call for evidence’ was published on a Technical
review of Building Bulletin 100: Design for fire safety in schools and
which closes on 31 May 2019. Amongst other issues, it seeks views and
evidence on the effectiveness of sprinklers in a school environment.
1.5 Comment on changes to Approved

Document B
In July 2018 the House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local
Government Committee published a report which followed the Hackitt
Review: Independent review of building regulations and fire safety: next
steps. It specifically considered sprinklers, and made use of a letter to
the Committee from the All-Party Parliamentary Fire Safety and Rescue
Group, which is available online. On sprinklers the report noted: 10
65.As with the Independent Review’s failure to recommend a ban
on the use of materials which are not of limited combustibility in
cladding, there was much criticism of its failure to recommend the
mandatory fitting of sprinklers to residential buildings. Despite this
omission, Dame Judith told us that she saw sprinklers as an
important fire-safety system:
I would be the first to agree with you that sprinklers are
one of the most important layers of protection that you can
put in any building, but they are not the only ones. They
will work for some, but not for others… For any new
building that will be subject to this process, a proposal that
includes a fully sprinklered building is bound to find itself
an easier passage to approval than if someone tries to
justify not doing that.
Sir Ken Knight echoed Dame Judith’s advice, telling us that
sprinklers do have a valuable part to play as part of a package of
fire safety measures, but should not be seen “as the panacea”.
66.However, in June, the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Fire
Safety and Rescue Group, Sir David Amess MP, wrote to the
Committee, expressing his disappointment that the Independent
Review had not called for the retro-fitting of sprinklers:
[ … ] it was pleasing to note during the Select Committee’s
recent meeting with Dame Judith [ … ] that she did support
a degree of prescription, and saw automatic fire sprinkler
protection as one of the most important fire safety
measures to take (something which the APPG, the National
Fire Chiefs Council, the Royal Institute of British Architects,
the Fire Brigades Union, the Association of British Insurers,
the Fire Protection Association, London Fire Brigade and the
Fire Sector Federation also support). It is a pity that Dame
Judith didn’t say this too in her Final Report.
67.As highlighted by Sir David, several stakeholders have called
for the retro-fitting of sprinkler systems. For example, the NFCC
told us that “sprinklers are the most effective way to ensure that
fires are supressed or even extinguished before the fire service can
arrive”. RIBA told us they wanted to see, “retro-fitting of
sprinklers / automatic fire suppression systems… to existing
residential buildings above 18 metres from ground level”. Huw
Evans, Director General at the ABI, called for this to be extended
to other buildings, including commercial warehouses.
68.Where structurally feasible, sprinklers should be retro-
fitted to existing high-rise residential buildings to provide
an extra layer of safety for residents. The Government
should make funding available to fit sprinklers into council
10
Communities and Local Government Committee, Independent review of building
regulations and fire safety: next steps, July 2018, HC555
10 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
and housing association-owned residential buildings above

18 metres, and issue guidance to that effect to building
owners in the private sector.
69.We heard strong evidence recommending the
Government require sprinkler systems be installed in a
wider range of buildings, including student
accommodation, hospitals and large commercial
warehouses. The Government should undertake a
consultation into whether it would be appropriate to
require the installation of sprinkler systems in these
buildings too.
The Government response, published in September 2018, noted that: 11
Since 2007, building regulations guidance has stated that flats in
new high-rise residential buildings over 30 metres should have
sprinklers. Retrofitting sprinklers in existing buildings is a matter
for the responsible person to ensure fire safety in the building. An
appropriate level of fire safety can be achieved without the need
to retrofit sprinklers and, as the Committee notes, it may not be
feasible to install a system, for example for structural reasons. It is
for building owners to seek professional advice and decide
whether to fit sprinklers, on the basis of their assessment of the
particular risk faced in their building(s). The Local Government
Association has produced information, available online, on how
building owners can deliver an appropriate level of fire safety in
purpose-built blocks of flats. The Government intends to
undertake a technical review of Approved Document B and will
publish a call for evidence in the autumn. Possible changes to the
guidance in Approved Document B, including on the use of
sprinklers, will be considered in this review. The Government will
also consider financial flexibilities for local authorities concerned
with funding other essential fire safety works in buildings which
they own.
Fire safety bodies have campaigned for greater use of sprinklers, for
example:
• the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) webpages on sprinklers,
including a position statement and comments on effectiveness;
• London Fire Brigade (who recently published a survey on flats and
sprinklers “People would feel unsafe living in flats without
sprinklers a new report finds”) while their concerns around flats
have been reported (BBC News, “Firefighters call for 'life saving'
sprinkler law”, 11 February 2019)
Other stakeholder groups who are in favour of a change to the
regulations around sprinklers have published their responses to the
recent consultation on Approved Document B. Some examples of these
are included below. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of
responses, and comments from those who may not be in favour of a
change may not have been published/identified in our searches:
• The National Fire Chiefs Council have argued for:
• A greater inclusion of AWSS [automatic water suppression
systems] will assist search and rescue operations and reduce the
11
Government Response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select
Committee Report on the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire
Safety: Next Steps, September 2018, Cm9706
risk to firefighters by restricting the development of a fire. AWSS

is beneficial in nearly all buildings but in particular, NFCC wants to
see:
─ Sprinklers become a requirement in all new high-rise
residential structures above 18 metres.
─ Student accommodation should be included.
─ Where high-rise residential buildings currently exceed 30
metres there should be a requirement to retrofit sprinklers
when these buildings are scheduled to be refurbished.
─ Sprinklers should be retrofitted where high-rise residential
buildings over 30 metres are served by a single staircase,
regardless of future refurbishment.
─ High-rise residential buildings over 18 metres should be
retrofitted on a risk assessed basis.
• RIBA, argue for sprinklers in all new and converted residential
buildings, and existing buildings greater than 18m when
renovation work is undertaken.
• The London Fire Brigade argue for “Automatic fire suppression
systems to be fitted in a number of buildings including all purpose
built blocks of flats (or all blocks over six storeys at the very least),
all homes where vulnerable people live and all care homes and
sheltered accommodation blocks.”
12 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
2. News items
Inside Housing
Government fire safety guidance fails to include escape plans,
RIBA warns
4 March 2019
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/government-fire-safety-
guidance-fails-to-include-escape-plans-riba-warns-60453
BBC News Online

Firefighters call for 'life saving' sprinkler law
11 February 2019
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-47198980
Inside Housing
Government to implement Hackitt Review in full
18 December 2018
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/government-to-
implement-hackitt-review-in-full-59564
BBC News Online

Combustible cladding ban set to be announced
30 September 2018
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45700968
Independent
All homes should be fitted with sprinklers to save lives, says
Grenfell Tower fire safety report
London Assembly report calls for sprinklers to be mandatory in new
tower blocks 'immediately'
22 March 2018
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/grenfell-tower-
fire-safety-sprinklers-report-london-assembly-a8267231.html
Independent
Labour commits to installing sprinkler systems in all new schools
as figures show less than one in three have them fitted
17 February 2018
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/angela-rayner-schools-
sprinklers-fire-nick-gibb-education-labour-a8215531.html
Inside Housing
APPG: government should make combustible material illegal on
all tower blocks
20 December 2017
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/appg-government-should-
make-combustible-material-illegal-on-all-tower-blocks-53667
14 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
3. Press releases
National Fire Chiefs’ Council

NFCC submits recommendations to Government aimed at
improving building standards in the UK
1 March 2019
Today the National Fire Chiefs Council submitted a thorough and
considered response to the Government’s call for evidence on Approved
Document B (ADB).
The NFCC welcomed the call on the full technical review of ADB, which
supports building regulations for fire safety and is used for large
numbers of new and refurbished building designs.
The submission, put together by technical specialists from across the UK
fire and rescue service, outlines many areas requiring fundamental
review and/or improvement, these include:
• the scope of the guidance, and what it can be used for (e.g.
restricting what a ‘common building’ is to an upper height
threshold such as 50m)
• the greater use of Automatic Water Suppression Systems
‘Sprinklers’ in the built environment
• provisions for firefighting access and facilities
• provisions for water for firefighting
• requirements for residential care homes
• consideration of the needs of vulnerable persons, especially in
specialised housing
Chair of the NFCC Protection & Business Safety Committee Mark
Hardingham said
In the wake of the fire at Grenfell Tower, and the subsequent
review of building regulations by Dame Judith Hackitt, it is vital
that we push ahead quickly and carefully to correct the
shortcomings that contributed to the terrible events of 14 June
2017.
A significant problem with the current guidance is that the scope
is unclear and leads to a completely inappropriate application of
guidance in parts of the built environment. Fire and rescue
services frequently see building designers applying standards
meant for ‘common’ building designs, to buildings that, because
they are very tall, or they house some of the most vulnerable
people in society, present much greater hazards to the occupants
and firefighters.
In practice, this means some designers are trying to apply the
same fire safety standards to skyscrapers, as they are to four-
storey residential buildings. NFCC believes, and we expect
residents feel the same, that the fire safety requirements in these
scenarios are very different and should be recognised as such in

the guidance to mitigate this risk.
Terry McDermott, NFCC Lead for Sprinklers, advises that England is
currently lagging behind other parts of the United Kingdom in terms of
greater inclusion of automatic water suppression systems, like sprinklers,
in built environments.
We have seen changes in Scotland and Wales that see a reduction
in height requirements, and in some cases the requirement for
mandatory installation in flats, and in specialised dwellings like
care homes.
The case for increased use of sprinklers is well-evidenced and
clear. Sprinklers save lives, protect property, reduce the impact of
fire on the environment and support UK businesses by reducing
interruption. With the review of ADB, we have an opportunity to
redress this inconsistency across jurisdictions and improve public
safety standards across the UK.
Roy Wilsher, Chair of the NFCC says a thorough technical review of the
guidance is overdue. In addition, recommendations made by Dame
Judith Hackitt need to be fully considered and implemented.
It is clear the industry cannot be relied upon to regulate itself and
in the interests of community and firefighter safety, clarity in the
guidance that supports our building regulations is urgently
required.
This consultation, which deals with a wide range of fire safety
considerations, is another important step in improving building
standards in England. I am pleased that the NFCC has marshalled
technical expertise from across the UK to ensure it continues to
work alongside Government and others in driving this change.
The future is not just about compliance, it requires a cultural shift
in the industry so that building safety is always the first thought
when it comes to building design, to ensure the safety of building
occupants and firefighters.
National Fire Chiefs’ Council

NFCC reinforces its sprinklers position
28 February 2019
The National Fire Chiefs Council shares the concerns of London Fire
Brigade after a poll for the brigade revealed 66% of Londoners would
feel unsafe living in a high-rise block of flats.
NFCC’s research with the National Fire Sprinkler Network has proven
the effectiveness of suppression systems in extinguishing fires.
The Council believes sprinklers should be part of overall fire safety
solutions in a range of new and existing buildings.
The research found that, in both converted and purpose-built flats,
sprinklers are 100% effective in controlling fires and supported the
concept of risk-assessed retro-fitting of sprinklers into existing
buildings.
16 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
This week, the NFCC will be submitting its response to the Whitehall
Government’s Call for Evidence as part of the technical review of the
building regulations Approved Document B.
Terry McDermott, NFCC Lead for Automatic Water Supression Systems,
said:
We are concerned to hear that councils are not getting the funds
needed to make fire safety improvements which would make
high-rise buildings and local communities as safe as they can be.
“Standards in England must be enhanced and brought in line with
national policy in Scotland and Wales on the fitting of water
suppression systems.
Currently, sprinklers:
• are only a legal requirement in new residential blocks over 30
metres tall in England
• in Wales, sprinklers must be fitted in all new domestic premises,
including houses
• in Scotland, residential buildings including care homes, sheltered
housing, schools and high-rises taller than 18 metres require
sprinklers. The Scottish Government has committed to applying
sprinkler requirements to buildings higher than 11 metres.
The NFCC recommends that sprinklers:
• become a requirement in all new high-rise residential structures
• be retro-fitted in buildings more than 30 metres tall when they
are refurbished
• should be retro-fitted in high-rise residential buildings over 30
metres with a single staircase, regardless of refurbishment plans
• should be provided in new residential care premises and
specialised housing
and that:
• as in Wales, the introduction of sprinklers in new domestic
properties should be explored.
Additionally, the Council supports Scotland’s risk-based approach to
fitting sprinklers in newly-built social housing.
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Brokenshire introduces tougher regulatory system for building
safety
A stronger and more effective regulatory framework is being introduced
to improve building safety.
18 December 2018
The government is creating a stronger and more effective regulatory

framework to improve building safety.
This will mean tougher sanctions for those who disregard residents’
safety, more rigorous standards and guidance for those undertaking
building work, and a stronger voice for residents.
The plans outlined today (Tuesday 18 December) explain how the
government will implement the recommendations made by Dame Judith
Hackitt in her review of building regulations and fire safety published
following the Grenfell Tower fire.
Building a Safer Future, commits the government to a programme of
reform over the coming years which will:
• Take forward all of the recommendations in the Hackitt review
• Create a more effective regulatory and accountability framework
to provide greater oversight of the industry
• Introduce clearer standards and guidance, including establishing
a new Standards Committee to advise on construction product
and system standards and regulations
• Put residents at the heart of the new system of building safety,
empowering them with more effective routes for engagement
and redress
• Help to create a culture change and a more responsible building
industry, from design, through to construction and management
The government will establish the Joint Regulators’ Group to trial
elements of a new regulatory system ahead of any new proposed
legislation. The group will bring existing regulatory bodies together to
work with developers and building owners, as well as seeking input
from residents and tenants, to develop and test new approaches that
may later feature in legislation.
In addition to setting out its plans to implement the changes called for
by Dame Judith Hackitt, a full review of fire safety guidance within
building regulations has also been launched. The government has issued
a ‘call for evidence’ that will gather expert advice on the full range of
fire safety issues to enable guidance to be revised. The government is
also inviting views from residents and those who manage buildings on
how to improve fire and structural safety. Residents and building
owners are invited to identify the best ways of working together to
meet safety responsibilities and to share existing good practice.
Secretary of State for Communities, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:
There is nothing more important than being safe in your own
home and I am determined to improve building safety.
My plan for stronger, tougher rules will make sure there is no
hiding place for those who flout building safety rules.
By making people responsible and more accountable for safety,
we will create a more rigorous system so residents will always
have peace of mind that they are safe in their own homes.
18 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
Further information
A Written Ministerial Statement supporting today’s announcement and
providing further details has been published alongside a
full implementation plan.
The Joint Regulators Group’ will comprise key regulators and partners –
Local Authority Building Control, The National Fire Chiefs Council, the
Health & Safety Executive, the Local Government Association which
includes the fire and rescue authorities, and others as required.
Since the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017, the government has:
• Published the Social Housing Green Paper looking at improving
the lives of those living in social housing.
• Identified buildings with unsafe aluminium composite material
(ACM) cladding and ensured there are appropriate interim safety
measures in place until the cladding is replaced.
• Committed up to £400 million to fully fund the replacement of
unsafe cladding on high-rise social housing properties.
• Incentivised remediation by supporting local authorities to take
decisive enforcement action where remediation plans for high-
rise buildings with unsafe ACM cladding are unclear. This
includes offering financial support where this is necessary to
enable them to carry out emergency remedial work on affected
private residential buildings with unsafe ACM cladding.
• Announced a ban on the use of combustible materials on the
external walls of high-rise residential buildings. The regulations
were laid in parliament on 29 November 2018 and are due to
come into force on 21 December 2018.
• Welcomed the industry formation of the Competence Steering
Group.
• Launched an Early Adopters’ Group, made up of developers and
building owners to improve building safety now and drive the
change in culture within the industry.
• Commenced an investigation into the fire door industry and
intervened in the composite fire door market to remove unsafe
products from sale.
• Issued advice notes to building owners and those responsible to
make sure residents are safe now and in the future, including an
addendum to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
(HHSRS) operating guidance, providing specific guidance on the
assessment of high-rise residential buildings with unsafe
cladding.
Review of building regulations and fire safety
Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of building regulations and fire safety
was published on 17 May 2018. Dame Judith Hackitt said in her review:
This new regulatory regime needs to change the culture and mindset of
those people and businesses involved in the design, construction,
maintenance and operation of certain buildings so that they take proper
ownership of the potential building safety risks and provide intelligent
leadership in managing and controlling those risks (rather than being
told by government what to do).
Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Select

Committee
MPs call for combustible cladding system ban
18 July 2018
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee call for
extension of combustible cladding ban and action to tackle conflicts of
interest in construction industry, in report into building regulations and
fire safety.
• Read the interactive report
• Read the report summary
• Read the report conclusion and recommendation
• Read the full report: Independent review of building regulations
and fire safety: next steps
Urgent and wide-ranging action needed
Urgent and wide-ranging action to ensure the safety of people living in
high-rise buildings needs to be taken by the Government, including
extending a proposed ban on combustible cladding and tackling the
conflicts of interest that are pervasive throughout the construction
industry.
The Committee recommends extensive changes to building regulations,
following the publication of the Final Report of the Independent Review
of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, set up after the Grenfell Tower
fire in June 2017.
Conflicts of interest in the construction industry
The report outlines several conflicts of interest that exist in the
construction industry. The Committee is particularly concerned with
how builders are able to appoint their own inspectors, who may have a
commercial interest in not reporting bad practice to the local authority,
and manufacturers choosing the most lenient testing bodies for their
products. The Committee also calls for the Government to prohibit the
practice of Fire Rescue Authorities acting as the enforcement authority
where their commercial trading arms are providing safety advice.
The report
20 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
• calls for ‘a robust system of oversight and meaningful sanctions,

but underpinned by a strong, prescriptive approach’ and argues
that the two should not be seen as mutually exclusive.
• welcomes the Government’s intention to ban the use of
materials which are not of limited combustibility in the cladding
of new high-rise buildings, but says the ban must also apply to
existing buildings and residential homes, hospitals, student
accommodation and hotels.
• concludes that, where feasible, sprinklers should be fitted to all
high-rise residential buildings to provide an extra layer of safety
and that the Government should make funding available for
installation in council and housing association-owned buildings.
• highlights several examples of conflicts of interest in the
industry, with Fire Rescue Authorities inspecting the work of
their own commercial trading arms, builders appointing their
own inspectors and private sector companies influencing fire
safety guidance.
• Says that reforms should be rolled out to the whole of the
construction industry
• Says it is clear that the ownership and responsibility of privately
owned buildings is often complex and recommends that the
Government conducts an urgent review into responsibility and
liability of such building to ensure the necessary work can be
carried out for the safety of residents, which is paramount. The
Government should then produce further subsequent guidance
for building owners.
• Calls on the Government to introduce a low-interest loan
scheme for private sector building owners, to ensure that
remedial work is carried out as quickly as possible and that costs
are not passed on to leaseholders.
Ban on dangerous cladding must be extended beyond new high-rise
constructions
Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Committee, said:
We are now more than a year on from the catastrophic events at
Grenfell Tower, yet despite an Independent Review of building
regulations, we are still no closer to having a system that inspires
confidence that residents can be safe and secure in their homes.
We agree with the Independent Review that there is a need for a
fundamental change of culture in the construction industry, but
there are also measures that can and should be introduced now.
We welcome the intention of the Government to ban combustible
cladding, but the proposals do not go far enough. A ban on
dangerous cladding must be extended beyond new high-rise
constructions, to existing residential buildings as well as other
high-risk buildings.
The industry is riven with conflicts of interest at every turn, with
manufacturers choosing the most lenient testing bodies for their
products. It just cannot be right that builders get to choose who
marks their homework and urgent action is needed to make sure

this does not continue. Fire Rescue Authorities should not be able
to pass judgement on the work of their own commercial trading
arms.
The current complicated web of building regulations is
compromising safety and putting people at risk in their own
homes. It desperately needs both simplifying and strengthening
and the Government must act now before more lives are lost.
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Issued for and on behalf of Dame Judith Hackitt.
‘Radical reform’ of building regulatory system needed, finds
Dame Judith Hackitt
New regulatory framework for higher-risk residential buildings is
required to improve building safety and ensure that residents are safe.
17 May 2018
The Chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire
Safety has found that fundamental reform is needed to improve
building safety and to rebuild trust among residents of high-rise
buildings.
At the heart of the new system will be a requirement for the
construction industry to take responsibility for the delivery of safe
buildings, rather than looking to others to tell them what is or is not
acceptable.
Dame Judith Hackitt was appointed by the government to lead the
review in light of the system failures revealed by testing carried out in
the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. She has published her findings
today (17 May 2018).
Read Dame Judith’s report
Dame Judith says:
This is a systemic problem. The current system is far too complex,
it lacks clarity as to who is responsible for what, and there is
inadequate regulatory oversight and enforcement. Simply adding
more prescription or making amendments to the current system,
such as restricting or prohibiting certain practices, will not address
the root causes.
The recommendations in this report will lead to a clearer, simpler
but more robust approach to the building and on going
management of high rise residential buildings.
Building on her interim report, which found that the current system of
building and fire safety is not fit for purpose and set out 6 key areas for
further work, Dame Judith’s final report finds that a new regulatory
framework for higher-risk residential buildings is required to improve
building safety and ensure that residents are safe.
22 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
The report sets out an ambitious vision for a new framework which will
improve standards for both new and existing buildings. Many of the
ideas proposed could be applied to a wider range of buildings and aim
to drive change more broadly.
Many in the sector have called for fundamental change. It will be
important now for industry to show leadership in driving this forward to
achieve genuine and lasting culture change.
The ultimate test of this new framework will be the rebuilding of public
confidence – the system needs to be more transparent and the
relationship between landlords and tenants needs to be one of
partnership and collaboration.
The report makes recommendations relating to:
• a less prescriptive, outcomes-based approach to the regulatory
framework to be overseen by a new regulator that can drive the
right behaviours
• clearer roles and responsibilities throughout the design and
construction process and during occupation, to ensure real
accountability for building safety
• residents to be consulted and involved in decisions affecting the
safety of their home and listened to if they have concerns
• a more rigorous and transparent product testing regime and a
more responsible marketing regime
• industry to lead on strengthening competence of all those
involved in building work and to establish an oversight body
Dame Judith is calling on the government to set out a clear plan for
implementation and for industry and regulators to start ‘living’ the
changes now.
Further information
See Dame Judith Hackitt’s final report.
Dame Judith Hackitt’s interim report was published in December 2017.
Background to the review
• The review of building safety and fire regulations
was commissioned in July 2017 following the Grenfell Tower fire
on 14 June 2017.
• It was commissioned by the then Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, and the then
Home Secretary, Amber Rudd.
• The review’s terms of reference were published in August 2017.
• An interim report was published in December 2017.
• Dame Judith brought industry representatives together for
a summit held in January 2018.
• Working groups were established and their findings were

reported back to Dame Judith in March 2018.
The review examined:
• the regulatory system around the design, construction and on-
going management of buildings in relation to fire safety
• related compliance and enforcement issues
• international regulation and experience in this area
The report is separate to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and, importantly,
does not replace the criminal investigation or seek to identify the cause
of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The report is forward looking and focused on establishing a sufficiently
robust regulatory system for the future, in this way providing assurance
to residents that the buildings they live in are safe and remain so.
Dame Judith Hackitt has today shared her report with Sir Martin Moore-
Bick, chair of the independent inquiry into the Grenfell fire.
Short biography of Dame Judith Hackitt
Dame Judith was Chair of the Health and Safety Executive from October
2007 to March 2016. She previously served as a health and safety
commissioner between 2002 and 2005. She was made a Dame in the
2016 New Year Honours for services to health and safety and
engineering, and in particular for being a role model for young women.
She was awarded a CBE in 2006.
In April 2016, she was appointed as Chair of EEF, The Manufacturers’
Organisation.
Dame Judith is a chemical engineer and graduated from Imperial
College in 1975. She worked in the chemicals manufacturing industry
for 23 years before joining the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) in
1998. She became Director General of CIA (from 2002-2005) and then
worked in Brussels for the European Chemical Industry Association
(CEFIC).
She was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in July
2010 and currently chairs the External Affairs Committee. Dame Judith
is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and was President of
IChemE from May 2013 to May 2014.
Dame Judith is also Chair of Semta – the Science, Engineering and
Manufacturing Technologies Alliance – and a non-executive director of
the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
24 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
4. Parliamentary material
Debates
Commons adjournment debate - Fire Safety and Cladding

HC Deb 23 January 2019 | Volume 653 c289-
http://bit.ly/2DxuLYh
Commons Urgent Question - Tower Blocks: Dangerous Cladding

HC Deb 22 January 2019 | Volume 653 c133-
http://bit.ly/2DuCE0v
Commons Urgent Question - Tower Block Cladding

HC Deb 21 May 2018 | Volume 641 c567-
http://bit.ly/2U6yfpO
Commons debate - Grenfell Tower

http://bit.ly/2TqT9nI
Commons e-petition debate Grenfell Tower Inquiry

HC Deb 14 May 2018 | Volume 641 c1WH-
http://bit.ly/2DqPJbm
Commons debate - Fire Safety and Cladding

HC Deb 06 March 2018 | Volume 637 c77WH-
http://bit.ly/2VNoga3
Commons Urgent Question - Grenfell Tower

HC Deb 05 February 2018 | Volume 635 c1230-
http://bit.ly/2EVhvNu
Statements
Commons statement followed by questions - Grenfell Tower

HC Deb 11 June 2018 | Volume 642 c620-
http://bit.ly/2EAo2iz
Lords statement followed by questions - Grenfell Tower

HL Deb 11 June 2018 | Volume 791 c1557-
http://bit.ly/2TkN7oG
Building Regulations and Fire Safety

http://bit.ly/2O4oPsJ
Building Regulations and Fire Safety: Government Response
HL Deb 17 May 2018 | Volume 791 c809-
Grenfell Update
HC Deb 22 March 2018 | Volume 638 c411-
Grenfell Tower
HL Deb 22 March 2018 | Volume 790 c448-
Ten-minute Rule Bill
Fire Safety Information

HC Deb 20 March 2018 | Volume 638 c191-
http://bit.ly/2EHvMfz
PQs
Building Regulations and Fire Safety Independent Review

Asked by: Hollinrake, Kevin
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local
Government, with reference to the September 2018 Government
Response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select
Committee Report on the Independent Review of Building Regulations
and Fire Safety: Next Steps, Cm 9706, whether it is still his policy that an
appropriate level of fire safety can be achieved without the need to
retrofit sprinklers in high-rise buildings.
Government, with reference to the September 2018 Government
Response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select
Committee Report on the Independent Review of Building Regulations
26 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
and Fire Safety: Next Steps, Cm 9706, when he plans to publish the call
for evidence on a technical review of Approved Document B.
Answering member: Kit Malthouse | Department: Ministry of
Housing, Communities and Local Government
The call for evidence on a technical review of Approved Document B
was published on 18 December and can be found on-line at
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/technical-review-of-approved-
document-b-of-the-building-regulations-a-call-for-evidence
The call for evidence expressly seeks evidence on the provision of
sprinklers.
HC Deb 27 December 2018 | PQ 202807; PQ 202806
Schools: Fire Extinguishers

Asked by: Kane, Mike
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will make
an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative
proposals to place a statutory duty on new and major refurbished
schools to install fire sprinklers.
Answering member: Nick Gibb | Department: Department for
Education
The safety of pupils and teachers is paramount. Schools have a range of
fire protection measures and new schools undergo thorough checks
while being designed. All schools must comply with building regulations
and where sprinklers are deemed necessary, they must be installed.
HC Deb 20 December 2018 | PQ 202822
Schools: Fires
Asked by: Kane, Mike
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Priority Schools
Building Programme school fires there have been since the beginning of
the 2017 Parliament; and how many of those schools (a) had sprinkler
systems installed and (b) had sprinkler systems installed as part of the
school rebuild.
Education
The Department has no recorded incidences of school fires on the
Priority School Building Programme.
The Home Office publishes data relating to fires in buildings other than
dwellings, which includes categories for educational establishments. The
most recent published figures cover the 2010/11–2017/18 financial
years inclusive. The data can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-
tables.
The 2017/18 data shows that the incidence of fire across the school
estate, affecting the whole building, is low.
HC Deb 20 December 2018 | PQ 202821
High Rise Flats: Fire Extinguishers

Asked by: Jones, Sarah
Government, how much funding per council the Government has
provided for the retrofitting of sprinklers in the most recent period for
which figures are available; and if he will list the councils that have
received such funding.
Government, how many local authorities have contacted his
Department to request financial support or flexibility for the retrofitting
of sprinklers in the most recent period for which figures are available.
Answering member: Kit Malthouse | Department: Ministry of
In May, the Prime Minister announced that the Government would fully
fund the removal and replacement of unsafe Aluminium Composite
Material cladding systems on social residential buildings 18 metres and
over owned by councils and housing associations. MHCLG is allocating
£248 million to replace cladding on 135 buildings.
We will also provide financial flexibilities for local authorities who need
to undertake other essential fire safety work, including retrofitting
sprinklers where these are considered to be essential, but the
Government is not providing funding for this work. Forty-four local
authorities have contacted the department to discuss their options for
funding fire safety work, including sprinklers, for buildings they own. To
date none have opted to take advantage of the flexibilities available.
HC Deb 19 December 2018 | PQ 202321; PQ 202320

Asked by: Lord Scriven
To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria local authorities will
have to meet before they can be granted financial flexibilities for the
retrofitting of sprinklers in tower blocks.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the financial flexibilities that
will be granted to local authorities that wish to retrofit sprinklers in
tower blocks.
28 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
Answering member: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth | Department:

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
If a local authority building owner considers any of their buildings to be
unsafe, they will need to determine what measures are essential to
make each building fire safe. This will need to be done as part of a
whole fire safety strategy for each individual building, taking into
account expert advice, any directions or advice from the local fire and
rescue service, and other fire safety measures present.
Local authorities should draw on existing resources to implement these
measures. However, we will consider the removal of financial
restrictions for local authorities where these stand in the way of
essential work being done. This would not include general
improvements or enhancements to buildings which go beyond works
needed to make a building safe.
Where there is a case for financial assistance, we will consider either
extending the ability to borrow within the Housing Revenue Account, or
possibly a one-off agreement to use general fund money. Any local
authority who wishes to discuss their position should contact MHCLG.
In addition to the offer of financial flexibilities for essential fire safety
work, Government will fully fund the removal and replacement of
dangerous Aluminium Composite Material cladding systems that have
failed large scale tests on residential buildings over 18m owned by
councils and housing associations, with costs estimated at £400 million.
HL Deb 26 June 2018 | PQ HL8575; PQ HL8574
High-rise Buildings: Cladding

Grahame Morris (Easington) (Lab)
What recent estimate he has made of the number of high-rise
residential buildings that have had dangerous cladding removed and
replaced since the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local
Government (James Brokenshire)
As of 22 May, remediation had started on 107 buildings over 18 metres
in the social sector that were identified to have combinations of
aluminium composite material cladding and insulation that failed fire-
performance tests. Work has been completed on 10 buildings.
Grahame Morris
I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that update, but will he give a
timescale for the other tower blocks, in both the private and the public
sectors? What is the timescale for the removal of these dangerous
panels?
James Brokenshire
I recognise the clear desire and intent to see to it that these buildings
are made safe and that remediation is completed at the earliest possible
opportunity. The works are complex and detailed, and they will take
time. We continue to monitor and to work with local authorities to
make sure that progress is made, recognising the real public safety
issues that the hon. Gentleman underlines.
Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab)
The Secretary of State is rightly consulting on banning all material that is
not of limited combustibility from high-rise buildings, and the Housing,
Communities and Local Government Committee hopes that he will
bring in such a ban after the consultation. If he concludes that it is right
to ban such material from all new buildings, does he accept that it
would be completely untenable to leave the same material on existing
buildings, and, in such a case, does he accept that the Government will
have the responsibility to financially compensate the building owners
affected?
James Brokenshire
The Chair of the Select Committee will know that we have committed
£400 million to support the public sector in remediation costs and that,
therefore, we are committed to seeing that the work is undertaken well.
Obviously, we will reflect carefully on the consultation that will be
launched and therefore look at its application. The key message is that
we need to make progress and to get on with this, so that buildings
that have been identified in need of remediation are dealt with.
Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)
On behalf of the Scottish National party, I pay tribute to all of the
Grenfell survivors and the people in that area whose dignified
commemorations we all witnessed last week. There remains an issue
about people in high-rise buildings in the private sector. What response
has the Secretary of State made to Kevin Stewart MSP, Scotland’s
Housing Minister, on his calls to exempt private buildings from VAT on
materials to refurbish these buildings?
James Brokenshire
Obviously, that is a matter for the Treasury, but there is a need to make
progress, and I look forward to continuing discussions with the Scottish
Government. Equally, as the hon. Lady has said, I pay tribute to the
incredible community of Grenfell for the extraordinary way in which
they underlined the strength that they have together and how that has
brought the country together as well and how we must very firmly
continue to have that in mind.
Alison Thewliss
I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. He will have seen, as we
all have, the pictures from Glasgow over the weekend where the
Glasgow School of Art also had a devastating fire. Fortunately, there
was no loss of life, although local residents are still waiting to get back
into their homes. Does he agree that we need to look again at
exemptions for sprinkler systems in buildings, so that more public
buildings can be encouraged to have them installed, not least in the
30 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
building that we are in today, because it is built in a similar way to the

Glasgow School of Art and could be as dangerous?
James Brokenshire
I am sure that we were all horrified to see the terrible fire at the
Glasgow School of Art. We should think about what that iconic building
has meant to so many people over the years. The hon. Lady highlights
the issue of sprinklers. May I be clear on that: for existing buildings, it is
for the building owner to decide whether to fit sprinklers
retrospectively, as part of a fire safety strategy? Obviously, it is for
building owners to make those determinations, but, clearly, it can be an
effective safety measure, as part of an overarching strategy.
John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne) (Lab)
Mr Speaker, you and I and other Members of the House were privileged
to be part of the Grenfell silent walk with survivors and supporters last
Thursday. They, like this House, want Ministers to take every action
necessary to prevent such a fire ever happening again, yet, since
Grenfell, 1,319 suspect cladding samples sent to the Government’s
testing centre have been refused testing, as Ministers say that they will
only test the aluminium composite material the Minister spoke of
earlier. Why?
James Brokenshire
I will happily look into what the right hon. Gentleman has said. The
Building Research Establishment’s focus has obviously been on the ACM
material that has been at the forefront of concerns to ensure that, in
both the public and the private sectors, that can be tested so that where
cladding does not meet the necessary standards, it is dealt with and
remediation steps take place. I will certainly look in greater detail at the
point that he has made.
John Healey
That simply is not good enough from the Secretary of State. The BRE
does what Ministers tell it to do. We know that other cladding and
insulation materials have been found unsafe. We know that the Hackitt
review has confirmed that the whole building regulation system from
end to end is, as she says, not fit for purpose. Since Grenfell, Ministers
have been too slow to take responsibility and too slow to act. This
Conservative dogma of “hands off” is delaying the Government action
necessary to deal with this national disaster. Will he give local
authorities powers to demand that testing and recladding are actually
done? Will he release the details that he holds on tower block owners
who will not do this work, and will he set a deadline, as my hon. Friend
the Member for Easington (Grahame Morris) says, for all landlords to
make their buildings safe or make it clear that Government will step in
and then make them?
James Brokenshire
I firmly recognise the right hon. Gentleman’s point about the urgency of
the situation, which is why we have committed an additional £1 million
to local authorities to identify the sites. In my time as Secretary of State,

we have made an additional commitment of £400 million to the social
sector to ensure that we get on with this remediation. I am intent on
pursuing that level of action and focus to ensure that a sense of safety
and assurance is given. Since the publication of Judith Hackitt’s report, I
have announced that we are pursuing a consultation to bring into effect
a ban on combustible cladding. The right hon. Gentleman and the
House should be in no doubt that this Government gives priority to the
issue, and we will continue to pursue that approach.
HC Deb 18 June 2018 | 643 c3-

Asked by: Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer
by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 23 January (HL4567), whether, since
the statutory guidance was revised, they are satisfied that all new blocks
of flats over 30 metres in height have had sprinklers fitted; and in the
same period, how many existing buildings have been retro-fitted with
sprinklers.
Answering member: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth | Department:
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Building control bodies have a statutory responsibility to check the plans
for building work (consulting fire and rescue authorities as appropriate)
and to inspect work on site during the construction phase to assess
whether it complies with the requirements in the Building Regulations.
Where the work does not comply, under provisions in the Building Act,
it is for local authorities to decide when a prosecution for non-
compliance with the requirements in the Building Regulations would be
appropriate.
HL Deb 14 February 2018 | PQ HL5308

Asked by: Rayner, Angela
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of new
schools opened since 2010 have had sprinkler systems installed; and if
he will make a statement.
Education
The Government takes the safety of pupils and staff very seriously. All
schools have to follow strict fire safety regulations, including having a
Fire Risk Assessment, designed to ensure they are as safe as possible
and well prepared in the event of a fire.
Where sprinklers are deemed necessary to keep pupils and staff safe,
following an assessment of risk at the design stage, or to meet local
32 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
planning requirements, they must be fitted. All new school building

projects must comply with Building Regulations, including on fire safety,
and this must be independently checked by Building Control or an
Approved Inspector before buildings are occupied.
As not all new schools in England are commissioned by the Department
for Education, the Department does not hold data on the proportion of
all new schools that have been built with or without sprinklers since
2010. The Department does hold information on the centrally funded
Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP). Of the 260 schools in phase
one of PSBP, 74 have, or are planned to have, sprinklers fitted. As
schools under phase two of PSBP are still in the early design stage, it is
not yet clear which may require sprinklers at this time.
The Department does not hold comprehensive data on the number of
free schools fitted with sprinklers as schools developed under the free
schools programme were originally managed by the individual free
school proposer groups. The Department is doing further work that will
enable us to provide figures on sprinklers fitted in all schools delivered
centrally by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
Alongside the rest of Government, the Department will take forward
findings from the independent review of Building Regulations and Fire
Safety, and from the Public Inquiry into the tragic Grenfell Tower fire.
HC Deb 08 February 2018 | PQ 126694

Asked by: Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the
commitment by Westminster City Council to retrofit sprinklers in all of
their blocks of flats over 30 metres in height.
Answering member: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth |: Ministry of
Sprinklers can be an effective fire safety measure but they are one of
many such measures that can be adopted. It is for building owners to
decide whether to fit sprinklers, on the basis of their assessment of the
risk. Government advice is clear; for new blocks of flats over 30 metres
in height the statutory guidance states that sprinklers should be fitted.
For existing buildings it is a decision for the building owner whether to
retro-fit sprinklers as part of a whole fire-safety strategy for the building,
based on expert advice and taking into account of other fire safety
measures present.
HL Deb 23 January 2018 | PQ HL4567
Hospitals: Fire Extinguishers

Asked by: Timms, Stephen
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made
of the potential merits of installing sprinkler systems in all hospitals.
Answering member: Mr Philip Dunne | | Department: Department
of Health and Social Care
Design teams are required to consider the benefits of using sprinklers as
part of the building design process for trusts. The outcomes of that
process should be recorded in each trust’s fire strategy document,
including where sprinklers are to be fitted and the reasons why they
should not be used in specific areas.
Fire safety guidance in relation to sprinklers is available in the following
Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 05 publication provided to
National Health Service organisations: “HTM 05-02: Firecode Guidance
in support of functional provisions (Fire safety in the design of
healthcare premises)” 2015 edition. All Firecode guidance is being
reviewed following the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Public
Inquiry.
HC Deb 08 January 2018 | PQ 120648

Asked by: Timms, Stephen
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools in (a)
England and Wales, (b) Greater London and (c) the London Borough of
Newham have sprinkler systems fitted.
Education
The Government takes the safety of pupils and staff seriously. All
Fire Risk Assessment, designed to ensure they are as safe as possible
and well prepared in the event of a fire.
As not all new schools in England are commissioned by the Department,
we do not hold data on the number of all new schools that have been
built with or without sprinklers installed. The Department does hold
information on the centrally funded Priority Schools Building Programme
(PSBP). This programme covers schools in England only. The devolved
National Assembly for Wales is responsible for schools in Wales.
In England, 74 schools in total have had, or are planned to have,
sprinklers fitted under the PSBP phase one. In London two schools have
had sprinklers fitted under the PSBP phase one. In Newham there are no
schools that have had sprinklers fitted under PSBP phase one.
34 Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019
The Department does not hold comprehensive data on the number of

free schools fitted with sprinklers in England, or London as schools
developed under the free schools programme were originally managed
by the individual free school proposer groups. The Department is doing
further work that will enable us to provide figures on sprinklers fitted in
all schools delivered centrally by the Education and Skills Funding
Agency.
Safety, and from the Public Inquiry into the tragic Grenfell Tower fire.

Asked by: Efford, Clive
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what advice she has
received from the London Fire Brigade on fitting sprinklers in schools
which are being refurbished or newly built; and if she will make a
statement.
Education
The Government takes the safety of pupils and staff seriously. All
Fire Risk Assessment, designed to ensure that they are as safe as
possible and well prepared in the event of a fire.
The Department does not collect data on the number of school fires.
The Home Office publishes fire statistics on GOV.UK -
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-statistics. These are
taken from data supplied by the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) and
includes information on educational establishments.
As not all new schools are commissioned by the Department, we do not
hold data on the number of all new schools that have been built with or
without sprinklers installed. We do hold information on the centrally
funded Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP). Of the 32 schools
rebuilt in phase one of the PSBP in London, two include sprinkler
systems. We do not hold comprehensive data on the number of Free
Schools fitted with sprinklers as schools developed under the Free
Schools programme were originally managed by the individual free
school proposer groups.
The Department does not liaise directly with the FRS, including the
London Fire Brigade, in the design of new school buildings. The
Department commissions the design and build of schools under its
central programmes and the FRS may be consulted by Building Control
officers or contractors on individual projects whenever necessary.
Safety, and from the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire.
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DEBATE PACK

Number CDP 2019/0065, 7 March 2019

Fire safety and sprinkler By Ed Potton

www.parliament.uk/commons-library | intranet.parliament.uk/commons-library | papers@parliament.uk | @commonslibrary

1.1 Background: Fire safety, building

Approved Document B covers fire safety. In Approved Document B

1.2 Consultation on Approved document B

being carried out and so Approved Document B cannot be used

1.3 Sprinklers in Scotland and Wales

1.4 Fire Safety and Schools

signage provisions. The construction materials used must be fire-

This approach represents a careful balancing of the risk of fire

1.5 Comment on changes to Approved

and housing association-owned residential buildings above

risk to firefighters by restricting the development of a fire. AWSS

BBC News Online

BBC News Online

National Fire Chiefs’ Council

scenarios are very different and should be recognised as such in

National Fire Chiefs’ Council

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

The government is creating a stronger and more effective regulatory

Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Select

• calls for ‘a robust system of oversight and meaningful sanctions,

marks their homework and urgent action is needed to make sure

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

• Working groups were established and their findings were

Commons adjournment debate - Fire Safety and Cladding

Commons Urgent Question - Tower Blocks: Dangerous Cladding

Commons Urgent Question - Tower Block Cladding

Commons debate - Grenfell Tower

Commons e-petition debate Grenfell Tower Inquiry

Commons debate - Fire Safety and Cladding

Commons Urgent Question - Grenfell Tower

Commons statement followed by questions - Grenfell Tower

Lords statement followed by questions - Grenfell Tower

Building Regulations and Fire Safety

Fire Safety Information

Building Regulations and Fire Safety Independent Review

Schools: Fire Extinguishers

years inclusive. The data can be found here:

High Rise Flats: Fire Extinguishers

High Rise Flats: Fire Extinguishers

Answering member: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth | Department:

High-rise Buildings: Cladding

building that we are in today, because it is built in a similar way to the

to local authorities to identify the sites. In my time as Secretary of State,

High Rise Flats: Fire Extinguishers

Schools: Fire Extinguishers

planning requirements, they must be fitted. All new school building

High Rise Flats: Fire Extinguishers

Hospitals: Fire Extinguishers

Schools: Fire Extinguishers

The Department does not hold comprehensive data on the number of

Schools: Fire Extinguishers

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