Specialists write open letter to prime minister
Architects and fire experts have urged Theresa May and her government to act immediately to address safety in high-risk buildings.
The signatories include three architects: previous RIBA president Jane Duncan and veteran campaigner Sam Webb, who both serve on RIBA’s expert advisory group on fire safety, and TV presenter George Clarke who lives near the Grenfell Tower.
In a joint open letter to the prime minister the group called on the government to implement three important regulatory changes to significantly improve fire safety for high-rise and high-risk buildings – and to do so with immediate effect.
For such buildings, which include schools, hospitals and care homes as well as flats, the specialists urged ministers to make it an immediate requirement that: only non-combustible cladding and insulation be installed; that they be fitted with automatic fire sprinklers; and that all new buildings of these types have alternative escape routes.
George Clarke said: “The rules for how we build safe homes, offices, schools and hospitals have for many years been far too open to interpretation.
“This has led to poor design decisions that have compromised fire safety and put lives at risk. What we are arguing for could be implemented tomorrow, would be extremely effective in making buildings safer, and help prevent a tragedy such as Grenfell ever happening again.”
While acknowledging official reviews are underway, the group said 10 months on from the Grenfell fire it seemed the UK was no closer to a safer system of fire safety regulation and that these steps would substantially reduce the risk still facing many buildings across the country.
Sarah Kostense-Winterton, executive director at Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers’ Association, said: “The government review and inquiry will run their courses, but there is every reason to make these crucial and logical changes straight away to ensure that buildings are being constructed in a safe manner.
“The government must lead from the front by taking action,” she added.
The letter to prime minister Theresa May
We are united by our resolve that a tragedy like Grenfell Tower must never happen again. Ten months on, we are deeply concerned that so little has been done to prevent another fire.
High-rise and high-risk buildings such as schools, hospitals, care homes, sheltered housing and residential blocks must be our immediate priority.
To protect public safety in these types of buildings, we ask the government to implement the following changes urgently:
· That only non-combustible cladding and insulation be installed;
· That they be fitted with automatic fire sprinklers; and,
· That all new buildings of these types have alternative escape routes.
The official inquiries and investigations will run their course, but we must not wait. We believe these common-sense measures will help protect people’s lives and the buildings in which they live, work, learn, and recover. We urge you and your government to implement them immediately.
Yours sincerely,
George Clarke, architect
Alan Brinson, executive director, European Fire Sprinkler Network
Jane Duncan, chair, RIBA Expert Advisory Group on Fire Safety and past president of RIBA (2015-2017)
Professor Richard Hull, professor of chemistry and fire science, University of Central Lancashire
Ronnie King, honorary administrative secretary and principal adviser to the All Party Parliamentary Fire Safety & Rescue Group and former chief fire officer
Sarah Kostense-Winterton, executive director, Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers’ Association
Keith MacGillivray, chief executive, British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association
Anne Power, LSE Housing and Communities, London School of Economics and Political Science
Anna Stec, professor in fire chemistry and toxicity, University of Central Lancashire
Sam Webb, RIBA
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