Neil Cooper of MLM Group gave his views on the Building Regulations and ‘where are we now?’ at an event in Guildford hosted by the southern regional branch of CABE. Cooper is ideally placed to provide perspective on an industry that is under the microscope as he is the CEO of MLM Group, a leading multidisciplinary design, compliance and specialist practice, and Chair of BRAC, The Building Regulations Advisory Committee.
With many in the industry acknowledging that processes need to be improved, the industry turned to the much anticipated review of the Building Regulations by Dame Judith Hackitt – Building a Safer Future – which looked set to provide the industry with a clear direction of travel and provide clarity on next steps.
Cooper addressed a few areas from the review, including the fact that whilst there was broad agreement with the findings and direction of travel, workstreams will need to be prioritised and this isn’t something that can be addressed quickly, it will take years. Meanwhile, although focussed risk management is starting to happen as part of a cultural change that ensures clear accountability, risk management will require legislation.
One of the key issues the report did highlight which has been welcomed, was the golden thread of design, construction and occupation and what happens to buildings once they are handed over. “Record keeping and duty holder principles are crucial but we need regulation to create clear gateways through the design, construction, handover and occupation stages to ensure that standards are maintained,” said Cooper.
One area that did raise concern was the report’s recommendations of a new regulatory system for tower blocks. Whilst change is needed, the concern is that the industry would end up with a system that is even more complex than the current one. If this new regulatory system is to work it needs to be managed centrally by government and be much more collaborative in its approach.
Cooper also mentioned short term priorities, such as consultation of fire test and desktop studies, issues over combustible materials, clarification of Approved Document B (ADB) and its potential for a full technical review next year. Even though the Hackitt review has been a turning point, there is still much more to be done.
