It’s been almost eight years since the Grenfell fire, yet fast forward to today and thousands of buildings remain unsafe due to dangerous cladding and inadequate cavity closers.
Until now, the government’s response has been criticised as too slow, and consequences have been lacking for the companies that put innocent lives in danger through their negligence and lack of safety measures. Despite public outrage and calls for accountability, there has been little action taken to date to hold these companies responsible, leaving victims and their families without justice.
However, on Wednesday 26th February, the government discussed measures to safeguard future developments, announcing all 58 of the Grenfell inquiry’s recommendations would be taken forward and actioned to prevent a similar tragedy – though some will not be taken as far as the report recommends.
In the full response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report, the most significant introductions we can expect to see over the next three years are the establishment of a super-regulator for construction by 2028, new licensing of principal contractors wishing to undertake the construction or refurbishment of higher-risk buildings, improved testing and regulations of construction materials, and the companies named in the public inquiry oarc f Grenfell to be banned from securing public contracts and investigated using tough new procurement powers. This ban will extend beyond direct contracts, ensuring these companies cannot be used even as subcontractors or suppliers, holding them accountable.
However, despite these steps forward, some industry experts caution that real, widespread change may take years to materialise.
Neil Weeks, CEO of ARC Building Solutions, a leading manufacturer of cavity fire barriers and closers, comments: “While this announcement is a positive step, it is likely to take until 2030 before we see a meaningful transformation in the sector. In the meantime, we’ve partnered with Leviat to take practical steps toward improving fire safety today through our industry-first corner testing initiative.”
Together, ARC Building Solutions and Leviat, a provider of high-performance steel components for construction, aim to set a new standard in construction safety. Their collaboration integrates ARC’s cavity barriers with Leviat’s Ancon masonry support systems to create a more seamless and secure approach to fire safety. Through this joint effort, both companies are pushing for greater accountability and transparency across the industry.
Diego Velasquez, Global Product Manager for Masonry at Leviat, adds: “Our Ancon masonry support systems are installed in many buildings over 12 metres in height with an external brick facade, making the interaction between them and cavity barriers a key factor in the safety and durability of a significant portion of the nation’s buildings”
“With ARC Building Solutions and Leviat/Ancon bringing over a combined 160 years of expertise to the table, the collaboration is both insightful and productive, resulting in test reports, third-party certification, and a Field of Application report. Identifying and addressing any clash points will save engineers and construction professionals considerable time and stress by ensuring more efficient, secure and durable installations. This testing fosters a culture of continuous improvement, and by working together, we can improve building quality and ensure ARC and Leviat products perform as designed with respect to fire, thermal and structural requirements.”
As it stands, according to the latest building safety remediation data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 5,011 residential buildings 11 metres and over in height have unsafe cladding – which was the primary cause of the rapid spread of fire in the Grenfell tower. And the National Audit Office estimates that around 60% of buildings with dangerous cladding are yet to be identified.
In a bid to address this, the government announced a new Remediation Action Plan in December, aiming to complete remediation of all high-rise buildings over 18m in height within government-funded initiatives by the end of 2029, and by the same date, for buildings over 11m to have a clear timeline for remediation completion; failure to comply will result in penalties.
Neil Weeks continues: “Preparing for the future is important – but acting today to safeguard residents who are currently living in unsafe buildings is vital too. While government funding for remediation has increased and this is positive news for the fire protection sector, achieving these ambitious targets may be hindered by the significant skills shortage caused by an ageing workforce and a decline in apprentices. For the government to ensure residents feel safe in their homes, a strategy to address the chronic skills shortages in fire engineers, fire risk assessors and other key professionals, is essential for the success of the Remediation Action Plan.”
In a bid to address this, the government announced a new Remediation Action Plan in December, aiming to complete remediation of all high-rise buildings over 18m in height within government-funded initiatives by the end of 2029, and by the same date, for buildings over 11m to have a clear timeline for remediation completion; failure to comply will result in penalties.
Neil Weeks continues: “Preparing for the future is important – but acting today to safeguard residents who are currently living in unsafe buildings is vital too. While government funding for remediation has increased and this is positive news for the fire protection sector, achieving these ambitious targets may be hindered by the significant skills shortage caused by an ageing workforce and a decline in apprentices. For the government to ensure residents feel safe in their homes, a strategy to address the chronic skills shortages in fire engineers, fire risk assessors and other key professionals, is essential for the success of the Remediation Action Plan.”