These are among the wide-ranging recommendations made by the Royal Institute of British Architects in its submission to independent review of building regulations and fire safety, led by Dame Judith Hackitt.
The review was ordered by the government in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in June.
RIBA鈥檚 response has been developed by its expert advisory group on fire safety, established by RIBA Council following the Grenfell Tower fire.
Jane Duncan, chair of the RIBA advisory group, said: 鈥淭he RIBA welcomes Dame Judith Hackett鈥檚 review but we believe it must be more comprehensive, addressing the details of Building Regulations guidance as well as the broader regulatory system. The review should cover all building types and construction methods not just those relating to high-rise, multiple occupancy residential buildings. In addition to submitting evidence, the RIBA has also proposed a number of significant recommendations to the review, to enhance the future fire safety of buildings for all residents and users.鈥�
The RIBA鈥檚 19-page submission has numerous recommendations, including:
- Repeal of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, under which building owners undertake their own fire risk assessment, and the re-introduction of mandatory Fire Certificates for designated premises, based on independent inspections by the fire brigades, with statutory powers of entry to individual dwellings where necessary.
- 聽Introduction of a Building Regulations requirement for central fire alarm systems in multiple occupancy residential buildings.
- 聽Removal of the 鈥榙esk-top鈥� study approach to demonstrating compliance with Regulation B4.
- 聽Introduction of requirements for sprinklers/automatic fire suppression systems in all new and converted residential buildings, as currently required in Wales, or at least for residential buildings over three storeys in height.
- 聽Introduction of a requirement for more than one means of vertical escape from new multiple occupancy residential buildings of more than three storeys in height, and no use of compensatory features for omission of a staircase or alternative means of escape.
- Review of the requirements for natural and mechanical smoke vent/exhaust provisions to corridors, lobbies and stairs to ensure current performance capacities are sufficient.
- External walls of buildings over 18 metres in height to be constructed of non-combustible (European class A1) materials only.
- Retro-fitting sprinklers and fire alarms in existing residential buildings over 18 metres in height, or maybe even three storeys for sprinklers.
The RIBA says that consideration should be given to revising the 鈥榩rincipal designer鈥� and 鈥榩rincipal contractor鈥� roles set out in the CDM Regulations 2015, with regard to ensuring so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare. The 鈥榩rincipal designer鈥� should have powers during the design and any 鈥榗ontractor design鈥� periods of projects to enable safe design and construction. This will need greater level of approvals and inspection by Building Control officers and independent clerks of works/site architects. The 鈥榩rincipal contractor鈥� role should have a greater responsibility to work with fire brigades, client and 鈥榩rincipal designer鈥� to achieve fire safety objectives.
The full RIBA response to the call for evidence can be .
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