Building & Fire Safety

The Scottish Government is seeking views on the introduction of a tax on new residential developments, to be paid by housebuilders.

Firetrace International’s report highlights that renewable energy generation and batteries are often co-located – however, the focus is on battery fire safety alone

A week before publication of the final Grenfell report, two fires were reported on multistorey residential buildings in east London.

Collaborative reporting for safer structures. Report 1279: Sudden collapse of 1850s stone balcony

The Publication of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry: Phase 2 Report has been long awaited and marks an important milestone in coming to terms with the causes of the tragic event of 14 June 2017. CABE acknowledges all that have suffered, and we extend our sympathies to everyone affected.

The new Building Safety Minister, Rushanara Ali, marked the return of parliament on yesterday (2 September 2024) with a written ministerial statement. As well as extending the recognition of CE marking for construction products, it made a commitment on evacuation of disabled and vulnerable people and on changes to fire testing classes and sprinklers in care homes.  

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has today published guidance on the golden thread of information requirements for higher-risk buildings.

Southwark Council has informed residents living in the remaining three Ledbury Towers that it will move them to suitable alternative housing as a safety precaution after the council identified an increased fire risk onsite.

Collaborative reporting for safer structures. Report 1243: Fire hazards in historical modular timber-framed buildings.
A reporter has raised fire safety concerns in the design and construction of modular timber-frame systems.

An unusual steelwork connection found during a fit-out of a high-specification building has prompted safety concerns.

Collaborative reporting for safer structures. Report 1275: Durability issues with engineered timber

The increased weight of cars has seen a safety warning issued over the capacity for older multi-storey and underground car parks.

With the structural safety of ageing buildings under the spotlight, Huw Morris looks at how responsible stewardship is at the top of engineers’ agenda

Collaborative reporting for safer structures. Report 1210: Unqualified engineer’s unsafe computer-aided design of a retaining wall

A member of the public who leaned on iron balustrade on a seaside promenade fell four metres onto the beach when the railings gave way. Another member of the public below narrowly avoided being struck by the person and the falling railing.

A report from the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has revealed that 80% of scaffold accidents among its members are due to manual handling, slips, trips and falls from height.

A joint statement from the Housing Minister Lee Rowley and the Director of Building Safety for the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) Philip White at the GB Health and Safety Executive (HSE) addresses the creation of safety case reports and associated challenges with managing safety in buildings over 18 metres.

The Minister for Housing in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Director of Building Safety in the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) have published a joint letter directed at registered building managers which is designed to resolve issues that have arisen around safety cases and their reports.

The introduction of urgent legislation to address the disparity of legal protection to citizens affected by defective premises in Northern Ireland has been passed by the Executive.