Using fire performance cables which meet and exceed current standards and guidance can only help to improve safety in critical fire safety situations, says leading cable supplier AEI Cables. AEI Cables has been highlighting the importance of following the technical guidance for the selection and installation of cables for Category
Promat has released a significant update to its renowned Passive Fire Protection Handbook, which offers a go-to resource for best practice in specifying and installing passive fire protection systems across the UK construction sector. The newly revised edition introduces an overhauled section on structural steel protection, aligned with the latest
Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) is taking a stand against poor behaviour in the supply chain. Members working in the housebuilding sector have raised concerns about unfair snagging practices on plaster or tape and jointed walls where LED lights are being used at shallow angles to inspect the finish. This
CIVIL engineering solutions provider Wrekin Products has received a special award by The British Standards Institution (BSI) to recognise 30 years of continuous ISO 9001 certification. In 1995, Wrekin achieved the internationally recognised standard for quality management systems, covering its design, stockholding and supply of ductile and grey cast iron
The UK fall protection industry has come together in a major show of collaboration to support the rollout of BS8681:2024, a new standard that sets rigorous competency requirements for the design, installation, and inspection of personal fall protection systems. This proactive industry-led initiative marks a significant step forward in improving workplace
HEM is the new government methodology for assessing energy performance of UK homes Sustenic, in partnership with Quidos, has been awarded a high-profile contract by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to develop and maintain the core software engine for the Home Energy Model (HEM), the new
SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, looks into the Building Safety Act and what it means for owners and maintenance teams Q1) Let’s refer to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase Two report, which cites that there were flaws in the building’s Tenant Management Association. There was a huge backlog
In April, IWFM Academy were excited to launch the third episode of our Tech Survival Guide at the Workplace Event, plus announce an exclusive offer to save money by purchasing the full guide. It’s perfect for workplace and facilities management (WFM) professionals who feel overwhelmed by the pace of technological
By Thomas Roche, Secretary of Business Sprinkler Alliance A new Fire Safety: Property Protection report, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), explores the state of property protection in fire safety regulations and examines international approaches to safeguarding buildings from fire damage. While the findings highlight
INDUSTRY leaders came together in April at Ironmonger’s Hall in London for Miller Knight’s Building Safety Forum 2025 – a landmark event driving forward the conversation on regulation, responsibility and reform in the built environment. Hosted by the remediation contractor in partnership with TFT and BB7, the forum brought together experts,
Using fire performance cables which meet and exceed current standards and guidance can only help to improve safety in critical fire safety situations, says leading cable supplier AEI Cables. AEI Cables has been highlighting the importance of following the technical guidance for the selection and installation of cables for Category 3 Control fire performance cables under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice. The guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia. Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “We are seeing quite an increase in demand for Category 3 Control cables and we can only stress that if they meet and exceed all standards requirements this can only help in the interest of safety of property and lives in these critical spaces. “Meeting standards is a minimum requirement but going above and beyond these standards will help firefighters in a real-life fire situation.” The systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire. AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world. For more information see the AEI Cables website, tel 0191 410 3111 or email sales@aeicables.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Promat has released a significant update to its renowned Passive Fire Protection Handbook, which offers a go-to resource for best practice in specifying and installing passive fire protection systems across the UK construction sector. The newly revised edition introduces an overhauled section on structural steel protection, aligned with the latest test standards and regulatory requirements. This new content supports contractors, designers and specifiers working to meet the heightened compliance demands introduced under the Building Safety Act. The update reinforces the handbook’s role in promoting best practice and delivering peace of mind as the sector adjusts to tighter safety regulations. In particular, it supports the Golden Thread requirement by providing up-to-date and traceable technical detail on tested systems. The newly updated structural steel section includes information on choosing the correct protective board, performance guidance for specialist steel protection boards including VERMICULUX®-S, PROMATECT®-250 and PROMATECT®-XW, installation guides for 1, 2, 3 and 4-sided encasements, and treatment of complex steel profiles, including cellular beams. The handbook also covers how to calculate the level of protection needed, and guidance on achieving a range of fire resistance from 30 minutes up to 240 minutes. It also highlights the standards that need to be met, such as EN 13381-4 and EN 1363-1. The revised content brings Promat’s technical guidance in line with the latest industry testing and performance criteria. Promat now offers the most comprehensive testing portfolio for structural steel fire protection available in the UK, making the handbook a vital reference for professionals involved in specifying and installing life critical safety. Josh Slack, Commercial Director at Promat, said: “The Passive Fire Protection Handbook is one of the most trusted resources in UK construction. This update takes it to the next level. With the spotlight rightly on building safety, there’s a real desire for absolute clarity, certainty and compliance – and that’s exactly what this updated guidance delivers. “It gives our customers the confidence they need when specifying structural steel protection, which is especially important as this continues to be a popular construction method.” This structural steel update is part of Promat’s wider commitment to raising standards to support the latest legislation to improve building safety. By offering detailed technical data and real-world application guidance, the handbook helps to ensure that fire protection systems are not only specified correctly, but installed to perform as tested. Josh added: “For anyone responsible for demonstrating compliance – from principal designers through to contractors and building owners – the handbook provides a reliable, thoroughly tested foundation to work from. It reflects Promat’s role as a proactive partner in the industry’s drive towards safer, more accountable construction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) is taking a stand against poor behaviour in the supply chain. Members working in the housebuilding sector have raised concerns about unfair snagging practices on plaster or tape and jointed walls where LED lights are being used at shallow angles to inspect the finish. This improper practice whereby the light is shined close to, or directly against the surface of the wall, highlight surface imperfections which are normally imperceptible to the human eye well within tolerance when industry standard inspection methods are used. On launching the campaign, Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive stated: “We often talk about the culture of construction and that means we need to look at all behaviours and the effect they have. It is clear to us that this over-zealous approach to inspection is creating a lot of bad feeling and straining relationships. Our belief is that the practice has little to do with quality and everything to do with keeping pressure on the supply chain, making sure sub-contractors are operating under commercial tension. In the worst of cases it is being used to delay, reduce or withhold payment and with that all the cashflow and mental health issues that plague SMEs in the supply chain. It can be little more than bullying and has no place in the sector today.” To tackle the problem head on, FIS has published new guidance which members are encouraged to download and share with their clients ahead of starting work. This guidance covers how inspections should be conducted and encourages the classification of the flatness of the plastered finish is agreed along with the level of smooth finishes before work starts. FIS Head of Technical James Parlour said: “We’ve tried for a number of years attacking this problem from purely a technical perspective, but people continue to ignore the standards. Change won’t happen unless we put our heads above the parapet and start to call out bad behaviour. This latest guidance and supporting resources should help align expectation and inspections to the standards and ensures that we avoid glancing light issues in inspection which exaggerate even the smallest of imperfection. “We do appreciate that it can be difficult for individual members to do this directly, but we are also asking members to report to us when they encounter these bad practices and we can pick it up as a collective effort. So the message is clear, if you are inspecting drylining and plaster finishes, use the standards and ensure that your processes are informed, fair and realistic. If you are a specialist contractor and have experienced unfair snagging practices, don’t just put up with it and move on reach out to us in confidence so we can log cases and start to challenge businesses to improve”. FIS is also concerned the effect bad practices have on those looking to start a career in the sector. Young people are being encouraged into the industry but when they are faced with this culture and ruthless nature many leave before they have had chance to really see what a good career the construction industry can offer. To support the campaign FIS will be launching a short video to help showcase the problem and is develop new training to support inspections. You can register on the FIS website to receive free access to the training when it is launched later this summer. For more information visit https://www.thefis.org/knowledge-hub/shine-a-light-on-bad-practice-not-walls-campaign/ To report your experiences, email details in confidence to info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CIVIL engineering solutions provider Wrekin Products has received a special award by The British Standards Institution (BSI) to recognise 30 years of continuous ISO 9001 certification. In 1995, Wrekin achieved the internationally recognised standard for quality management systems, covering its design, stockholding and supply of ductile and grey cast iron manhole covers and gully gratings, geosynthetics, steel access covers and related civil engineering items. The recent award acknowledges Wrekin’s long-standing commitment to quality, excellence and consistency, as well as maintaining a mutually supportive relationship with BSI for three decades. Barry Turner, castings technical manager at Wrekin, said: “Having worked at Wrekin since we first obtained our ISO 9001 certification in the mid 90s, I’ve seen how valuable it continues to be across the business. This award from BSI reflects the enduring strength of our internal systems, our culture of accountability and our collaborative approach with customers and partners. “Our internal systems across all departments became more robust when we decided to adopt the standard, and we have worked with our supply chain ever since to share our expertise so that they can improve their processes too.” During the six-month period in 1995 when Wrekin aligned its quality management system with ISO 9001, a new quality manual was established to list all the procedures used across the business and, in doing so, several important improvements were made at the time, including revision of procedures covering; customer feedback review, contract review and a commitment to undertake regular, scheduled internal and external audits. Not only has Wrekin credited the standard for its ability to improve overall operational quality, but it has also recognised the positive impact on transparency across the business and provided clear processes which help all employees in their introduction and adoption. Barry continued: “This milestone highlights our dedication to; continuous improvement, customer satisfaction and industry betterment, which have all helped cement our position as a trusted name in the civil engineering sector.” To learn more about Wrekin, visit www.wrekinproducts.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK fall protection industry has come together in a major show of collaboration to support the rollout of BS8681:2024, a new standard that sets rigorous competency requirements for the design, installation, and inspection of personal fall protection systems. This proactive industry-led initiative marks a significant step forward in improving workplace safety at height. BS8681:2024 introduces a comprehensive framework of best practices in fall protection, covering key areas including: However, what truly sets the implementation of the new standard apart is the level of industry support behind it, from trade bodies to manufacturers, training providers, and awarding organisations. “The rollout of BS8681:2024 represents more than just a change in standards; it’s a collective commitment to safer work environments,” said Alan Murray of BSIF, who led the coordination efforts. “By working together, the industry is accelerating adoption and ensuring that organisations are fully equipped to meet the new requirements.” Industry collaboration in action A core group of leading organisations, including 8point8 Training, Kee Safety, Hydrajaws, Smart Awards, and SFS, have joined forces to ensure that training, resources, and qualification pathways are aligned with the new standard to ensure a seamless transition for organisations adopting BS8681:2024 “Hydrajaws was thrilled to contribute by training 8point8 staff in the latest testing methods and data recording tools,” said Adrian Morgan of Hydrajaws, underlining the role of up-to-date practices in maintaining compliance. Equipping the workforce The rollout also focuses on upskilling the workforce. The first learners are completing the Level 3 NVQ in Access and Rigging – Fall Protection, and others are progressing through the new Level 3 Fall Protection Technician apprenticeship. “Our Group recognises the importance of training and development of our fall protection technicians and inspectors,” said Graham Willmott of Kee Safety. “As soon as the apprenticeship program was available, we committed to the program and enrolled our delegates.” Kee Safety is already seeing the benefits with individuals now starting to complete their apprenticeships and enter their final assessments. Through equipment donations, specialised training, and expert-led support, companies like SFS have ensured that learners can apply their skills on actual fall protection systems. “SFS was delighted to have the opportunity to support 8point8 Training Ltd with their delivery of the Level 3 Fall Protection Technician Apprenticeship and the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Accessing and Rigging,” said Jonathan Seymour of SFS. The safety solutions and fixings supplier provided sample systems, training, and materials which are essential tools that help apprentices understand installation and compliance in a controlled environment. With BS8681:2024 now live, the industry is not only embracing higher standards but actively ensuring that every level of the workforce has the tools, knowledge, and qualifications to meet them. “These qualifications are raising the industry’s standards,” said David Ravensdale of 8point8 Training, “ensuring that current and future professionals are fully equipped to handle the complexities of installing and maintaining fall protection systems.” Murray concludes: “As more professionals achieve advanced qualifications, the industry will continue to evolve, innovate, and strengthen safety standards, creating a highly skilled workforce capable of delivering excellence in fall protection.” For a more detailed article on the implementation of BS8681:2024, visit: https://www.bsif-heightsafetygroup.org/bs86812024-elevating-fall-protection-standards-and-industry-collaboration/ For the BSIF webinar on the new standard BS 8681:2024 Personal fall protection equipment, watch… Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HEM is the new government methodology for assessing energy performance of UK homes Sustenic, in partnership with Quidos, has been awarded a high-profile contract by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to develop and maintain the core software engine for the Home Energy Model (HEM), the new government calculation methodology for assessing the energy performance of homes in the UK. HEM will support energy efficiency improvements in a wide range of new and existing housing types in the UK, aligning with the upcoming Future Homes Standard and reformed Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). By offering a more accurate assessment of building energy performance, it will help to reduce the nation’s carbon emissions in the journey towards net zero. Sustenic will draw on its many years of experience developing and implementing energy calculation methodologies to lead the development of the HEM engine, and maintain the underlying Python codebase. Quidos will play an important role in feature development and maintenance, leveraging its experience in developing energy assessment software and its 20 years expertise in assessing the energy efficiency of dwellings. Work will begin immediately on a consultation version of the core engine. Jose Ortiz, Director at Sustenic, said: “This contract award marks an important milestone in the evolution of building energy modelling in the UK. Our team brings unparalleled expertise in energy modelling methodologies and software development, having previously played central roles in developing SAP, SBEM, and the initial phases of HEM. We’re looking forward to working closely with Quidos, DESNZ and the MHCLG to deliver this critical project successfully and assist in the UK’s net zero ambitions.” Chris Barrington, CTO at Quidos, said: “Improving the energy performance of the UK’s homes is crucial to achieving carbon emission reduction objectives. Our established reputation in energy efficiency software and assessment will be invaluable in the development of the HEM’s core software engine, together with Sustenic’s deep methodological expertise. Together we will ensure that HEM is a reliable, user-friendly tool that supports industry professionals in delivering energy-efficient dwellings.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, looks into the Building Safety Act and what it means for owners and maintenance teams Q1) Let’s refer to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase Two report, which cites that there were flaws in the building’s Tenant Management Association. There was a huge backlog of maintenance work that it never managed to clear, poor repairs service, a persistent indifference to fire safety, no fire safety strategy was in place, despite advice in 2009, and their only fire assessor had invented some of his qualifications and was ill-qualified to carry out risk assessments. How widespread do you think these sorts of issues are? I think they are far more common than any of us wants to admit, and I don’t think that is supposition. If you think about the report that I did and the timing of it, the remit that I was given by the then Secretary of State was to look at the regulatory system that was in place and identify what had gone wrong. In less than 12 months, I was able to conclude that the regulatory system had failed, and as a result of that, poor practice was widespread. None of the specific findings associated with Grenfell that came out of the public inquiry should have come as a surprise to people, because I had identified six years before then that those things were happening, and they were happening far more widespread than just Grenfell. Grenfell was by no means a one-off, and neither was it just about cladding. Those poor practices in looking after the building and everything to do with that were clear to me from every conversation I had with people. People knew things were wrong, but I don’t think anyone knew quite how devastating the consequences of those failures and weaknesses in the overall system would be. I don’t think anyone had contemplated that it could be as bad as it was, and that 72 people would lose their lives. Q2) Do you think that the industry is doing enough to align itself with the Building Safety Act requirements? It’s a very mixed picture, and that means there’s good and bad. I see lots of examples of people who have embraced it and are doing the right things. I also see a lot of people who are still playing ostrich, if you like, and that comes in many forms, not least of which is, “I can’t do anything until the regulator tells me what to do. I need more detail.” Then there’s a lot of people, I think, in the middle who know they need to do something. They’re very busy trying to do the right thing, but they don’t know where to turn to get help and advice, and some of that advice is leading them to do more than they need to, or do the wrong things, not prioritising the right things first. We’re not going quickly enough, and we need to take a breath and get some proportion back into the system. Q3) In what ways does the Building Safety Act and the associated regulation place greater responsibility on maintenance teams? I think the first thing to say is that it provides clarity of who is responsible. The first thing I was surprised by when I did my review was the extent to which people said, when I asked questions like, “Who’s responsible for this?” or “Who does that?”, people would say, “It’s not me, it’s them. I do my bit. But the problem is someone else.” And that, I think, is partly a function of the fragmentation of the whole construction sector and the way we contract out work, even in buildings that are in occupation. What’s clear is there’s been no proper line of responsibility and accountability in the past, and what we’ve put in place is exactly that. That doesn’t mean to say that simply because you’re the Principal Accountable Person, you carry all of the responsibility. Some of your responsibilities are to ensure that the people you employ are also people who are going to behave responsibly. And in fact, you know, the act is clear that there is a duty on everyone to behave responsibly in what they do, and that’s a direct parallel with the Health and Safety at Work Act. Q4) What should building owners be most concerned about, relating to compliance with the Building Safety Act? For me, that’s a list of things you’ve got to do in order, which seems fairly logical to me. The first is, what do you know about the building you’ve got. Because actually, for buildings that are already in occupation, one of the biggest challenges, of course, is that golden thread that I called for in all new buildings. People have been in the process now for months, if not years, of trying to build that golden thread out of pretty sparse information, because the discipline of providing that data was not commonplace, and so knowing what you’ve got is the starting point. Trying to fill those gaps to the best of your ability is the next, and then having the courage to go and look and find what problems there are. We’ve seen that in the case of how different companies have approached the whole flammable cladding issue. Some have been very proactive, and others have had to be really pushed to do it, and some of that is because they don’t know. Part of the problem is that they know or suspect that the cladding is not the end of the story by any means, and when they remove the cladding, they’re going to find other, more serious problems behind it. But the reality is, you need to know what you’ve got. It’s no good not looking, because when the regulator comes round to your building, they are going to expect you to have used your best endeavours to find out what you can about the building.
In April, IWFM Academy were excited to launch the third episode of our Tech Survival Guide at the Workplace Event, plus announce an exclusive offer to save money by purchasing the full guide. It’s perfect for workplace and facilities management (WFM) professionals who feel overwhelmed by the pace of technological change and are looking for practical, digestible insights to enhance their tech proficiency. Whether you’re a seasoned professional aiming to stay current or someone new to the field seeking foundational knowledge, the bitesize, 20-minute episodes provide an accessible way to quickly grasp essential tech skills and confidently integrate new tools into your daily workflow. Why professionals need CPD in relation to technology IWFM and sector leaders have highlighted the need for workplace and facilities management (WFM) professionals to get to grips with evolving standards in today’s landscape, such as the recent UK Information Management Initiative. Episode three explores ISO 19650, its practical use in workplace data and how to leverage data for strategic gains. It covers improving data accuracy, efficiency and decision-making through information management and standards. Key topics include: Click here to learn more, access each episode and purchase the entire guide with our exclusive offer. Looking ahead: Attend upcoming webinars with IWFM’s Technology Special Interest Group (SIG), including: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Thomas Roche, Secretary of Business Sprinkler Alliance A new Fire Safety: Property Protection report, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), explores the state of property protection in fire safety regulations and examines international approaches to safeguarding buildings from fire damage. While the findings highlight significant issues and areas for improvement, the Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) questions whether the government’s actions thus far can be considered a regulatory success for property protection. The report forms part of the government’s wider response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, which followed the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. While the core focus of the regulations has always been life safety, a public call for evidence revealed growing concerns that building and property protection were being neglected. In response, this review was commissioned to explore how fire safety regulations could better reduce property damage, drawing on international examples and a structured assessment of literature, codes, and interviews with key stakeholders. Property protection overlooked The report states clearly that fire safety regulations in England and Wales prioritise life safety, with property protection largely absent from the statutory framework. It notes that “most of the guidelines designed specifically to protect buildings and property from fire are non-statutory in nature,” meaning they are voluntary or insurance-driven rather than embedded in legislation. It further concludes that “there is no empirical evidence to indicate the extent to which property protection is achieved through life safety,” underscoring the need for explicit protection measures within regulations themselves. Sprinklers proved most effective Sprinklers were consistently identified throughout the review as the most effective active fire protection system. According to the report, “sprinklers are especially prominent in literature about property protection and building resilience,” with both academic research and stakeholder input highlighting their unmatched role in containing and extinguishing fires. It also states that “research into the fire resilience of buildings tends to emphasise sprinklers as the primary method of protecting buildings from fire,” a finding that strengthens the Business Sprinkler Alliance’s longstanding advocacy for wider sprinkler adoption across UK buildings. Stricter fire protection for industrial buildings overseas The review highlights that warehouses and industrial facilities in countries such as the USA, Sweden, and Germany are subject to more rigorous fire protection requirements than in England. The report points out that “sprinklers are almost always mandatory” in these countries and that “warehouse size thresholds, which place limits on the size of un-sprinklered warehouses, are generally much lower than in England.” These stricter requirements reflect an international recognition of the high economic and operational risks posed by industrial fires which is an approach the UK has yet to replicate Prioritising sustainability over resilience As the UK construction sector embraces sustainability, the review warns that new methods may compromise fire resilience. It explains that “the drive to construct ‘green’ buildings with low embodied carbon has the potential to conflict with fire safety and resilience,” particularly in relation to mass timber and modular construction. These methods, it states, have “critical vulnerabilities,” including concealed cavities that can accelerate fire spread and the use of combustible materials that are not adequately addressed in current regulations. Schools and heritage buildings at risk The review found that in countries like Scotland and New Zealand, stricter fire protection requirements for schools are in place specifically to minimise disruption and safeguard their educational function. It notes that “stricter requirements reflect the fact that schools are often seen as important service providing-buildings and community resources.” The report also observes that historic buildings, despite their cultural value, are rarely treated differently in regulation and often receive “fire safety provisions… no different to domestic buildings.” In contrast, countries like the USA and Germany have developed tailored fire safety guidance for heritage sites that balances protection with preservation. A clear case for change In response to the findings, the Business Sprinkler Alliance is urging policymakers to broaden the scope of fire regulations to explicitly include property protection and to consider the wider adoption of automatic sprinklers as a proven, effective measure. “Fires don’t just threaten lives, they destroy vital community assets, commercial operations, and our built heritage,” said Iain Cox, Chair of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. “This report validates what we’ve been saying for years that sprinklers are a cornerstone of resilience, and we must look at the bigger picture and do more to embed property protection in UK fire safety regulation. The concentration in UK fire regulation on life safety has meant that a completely destroyed building – be it a school, a factory or a historic building – was deemed a success if no lives were lost or injuries suffered. The consequent effect on children’s education, unemployment and our heritage were never taken into account. Hopefully, now, they will.” For more information about the BSA visit the www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
INDUSTRY leaders came together in April at Ironmonger’s Hall in London for Miller Knight’s Building Safety Forum 2025 – a landmark event driving forward the conversation on regulation, responsibility and reform in the built environment. Hosted by the remediation contractor in partnership with TFT and BB7, the forum brought together experts, regulators and property professionals to examine the pressing challenges facing the construction and fire safety sectors. Chaired by Dame Judith Hackitt DBE, the event shone a spotlight on the cultural and regulatory shifts still required to meet the ambitions set out in her ‘Building a Safer Future’ report. In her keynote, Dame Judith reiterated the need for “a long-term mindset” and challenged professionals to take ownership at every level, from construction to facilities management. “We are only just beginning to uncover the challenges posed by the new regulatory system – especially during the occupation phase,” she said. “But reform is not optional. Responsibility rests with all of us to be intelligent, informed and proactive in making the right safety decisions for the buildings we create and manage.” A standout moment came as Dame Judith revealed that the Building Control Review Panel, which she now chairs, will issue its recommendations by the end of 2025. The review is exploring whether building control functions should only be performed by those free from commercial interest – a move set to reshape the industry’s current dual-path system. Speaking about the green paper on construction product regulation, Dame Judith urged delegates to get involved: “Unless we get this fixed, we’re still standing on thin ice. We need better product assurance, better testing, and we need to be bold enough to demand it.” The event featured a packed agenda including panel discussions with leading safety consultants, fire engineers and asset managers. Delegates shared real-world challenges, from poor record-keeping to inconsistent product data, and called for better collaboration across the supply chain. Attendee Dominic Smith, head of CDM services at TFT, commented: “This forum is rare in the sense that it brings the full industry together – from fire engineers to construction clients – with a shared purpose. We have over 70 higher-risk buildings in our portfolio, and events like this help us stay ahead of change and do the right thing by our residents.” In closing the event, Matthew Flower, managing director at Miller Knight, said: “This forum is about more than compliance – it’s about collective responsibility. We’re here to lead by example, push for real change and help others do the same. From contractors and consultants to building owners, everyone has a part to play in building a safer future. This is only the beginning.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
