External walls code of practice consultation launched

The UK Government has announced a consultation on a code of practice to assess external walls and cladding systems so building owners receive consistent advice on whether a building needs remedial work.

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The consultation forms part of the UK Government's ambitious reform of the building sector, with the British Standards Institution (BSI) commissioned to draft a new code of practice for assessors.

The aim is to ensure external wall assessments are carried out to a high and consistent standard, giving building owners clarity on the fire risk of the construction of external walls. The code will help professionals provide consistent, risk-based, and proportionate advice on whether remediation is necessary.

The public consultation is open until 20 May 2021 and the standard is due to be published in the Autumn once comments have been reviewed.

Building safety

Reforming the building sector links to the UK Government's promise for further investment into the removal of unsafe cladding, which was announced in February 2021. The Housing Minister, Robert Jenrick outlined the funding will ensure leaseholders in England in high-rise buildings above 18 metres will bear no costs to make them safe.

As part of the biggest improvements to building safety standards in 40 years, we are taking firm action to ensure homes and buildings are safer. This includes investing over £5 billion to help protect hundreds of thousands of leaseholders from the cost of replacing unsafe cladding on their homes. 

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Lord Greenhalgh Building Safety Minister

The Draft Building Safety Bill also links to Jenrick’s promise as the legislation aims to reform the regulations surrounding the safety of high-rise buildings in the UK.

In September 2020, we submitted written evidence to the Housing Committee's inquiry into the Bill. We acknowledged and encouraged the need to improve building safety after the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, but stressed concerns about the practical application of elements contained within the Bill and costs to leaseholders. Read our consultatin response below.

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29 Sep 2020
Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Building Safety Bill

Responding to the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Building Safety Bill, we acknowledge the need to upgrade building safety, however, there are concerns about the practical applications of a number of elements along with the cost to leaseholders.