Commenting on the publication of the interim report by Dame Judith Hackitt into building regulations in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, Mark Shepherd, Head of Property at the Association of British Insurers, said:
“A thorough review of building regulations was long overdue and it’s a tragedy that it took the devastating Grenfell Tower fire to focus attention on this issue. The ABI called for much greater clarity on the roles and responsibilities for all those involved in the fire safety of a building, and it is encouraging that today’s interim report has recognised the importance of this. We welcome the initial findings that say the current regulatory system is not fit for purpose and that there is a need for the construction industry, building owners, regulators and government to come together to address a range of shortcomings. More detailed work is required in the next phase on the provision of sprinklers for high risk buildings, limiting the use of combustible materials in construction and developing more robust testing regimes to ensure improved fire safety standards are adhered to. The ABI and its members will continue to support and work closely with the review team as they develop their more detailed final report.”