Policy & Regulations

The UK Government has taken note of concerns raised by leaseholders about the structure of the future safety regime outlined in the Building Safety Bill and is removing the duty to appoint a Build-ing Safety Manager (BSM).

The term competence recurs in building safety reports and new regulations, but what does it really mean in practice, and how will building industry professionals fair under the renewed scrutiny?

After months of debate and amendments, the Building Safety Bill became law today (29 April), with the intention to ‘create lasting generational change’ to the way high-risk and residential buildings are constructed and maintained, although many of the new provisions in the 262-page Act are not expected to come into force until 2023.

Legislation is set to change in Wales for rented properties. Aico welcomes the improved fire and carbon monoxide safety measures

Ministers are poised to scrap the requirement for a Building Safety Manager under the forthcoming Building Safety Bill, Building Engineer has learned.

The UK government is consulting on workforce reporting on disability for large employers.

If we want to attract greater gender diversity to the field then we have to understand what the fundamental barriers are, says James Cash

Understanding neurodiversity and recognising the value that neurodiverse minds bring to the skill mix is vital for establishing inclusive teams, says James Cash

Collaborative reporting for safer structures. Report 1004: Structural corrosion in a swimming pool building causes concern

Concerns over the knowledge and assessment standards for the installation of solar panels for multiple public sector buildings and schools

New regulations for all new homes and buildings in England to have electric vehicle charging points installed as standard come into force from 2022. These include supermarkets, workplaces and buildings undergoing major renovations. Together with new homes, this could result in up to 145,000 charge points being added each year over the next decade. England is the first country to mandate such building regulations.

Dame Judith Hackitt has vented her frustration at the industry’s lack of leadership and slow progress towards bringing about a cultural change in building safety following the Grenfell disaster.

Kensa Heat Pumps is hoping the revised Building Regulations standards for new-build homes in England, which are due to be brought in from June 2022, means flexibility will become a key factor when assessing renewable energy solutions rather than efficiency alone. Kensa also hopes Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratings will reflect this following the Part L and F revisions to the regulations.

The government has pledged £65m to digitise local council planning systems in England.

The Royal Academy of Engineering has produced a low-regrets framework to support urgent climate change.

The Domestic smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: proposals to extend regulations consultation, which launched alongside the social housing white paper in England in November 2020, proposes to extend requirements for alarms in social and privately rented homes through building regulations. All of the proposals were supported by a majority of respondents and are now subject to parliamentary approval.

The 2021 consultation set out proposals for comprehensive reform of legislation that contributes to building safety in Wales.

Stuart Fairlie MCABE discusses the fiendishly complicated issue of how the industry can stay cool about overheating

The Construction Leadership Council has released guidance for sites operating during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Circulars for Parts L and F and introducing new Parts O and S and updated or new Approved Documents are available.