Leading electrotechnical and engineering services body ECA has responded to the Grenfell Tower final report by welcoming changes to the Building Regulations and standards of competence in the built environment.
Close examination of the factors that contributed to the tragic Grenfell Tower fire has reinforced the importance of competence as a key factor in the safety of electrical and other installations – and ultimately, the safety of those living in the buildings ECA Members help to create.
ECA and the Fire and Security Association (FSA) made a number of influential representations to the initial Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and several subsequent reports, having listened closely to industry concerns over competence and safety.
ECA Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Eldred, said: “The report once again shines a spotlight on the imperative for improved standards of competence in the built environment.
“Thanks to stronger collaboration across the electrical industry in recent years, we undoubtedly find ourselves better placed to meet these higher standards than most other installer sectors, even if there is more still that needs to be done.
“Through ECA’s active participation in the Construction Leadership Council, Working Group 2 and the British Standards Institute, we are also doing all we can to assist improvements across the entire built environment – including pointing to good practice examples in the training, assessment and certification arrangements which the electrical industry already has in place.”
ECA Director of Technical and HS&E, Mike Smith, said: “We welcome changes made to the Building Regulations, particularly duties to employ competent organisations and individuals, ensure collaboration within design and construction teams, mandate reporting of compliance and safety issues, and professionalise consent and approvals processes.
“Enforcement of the rules has historically been a weak spot. Which is why we strongly support the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator, to oversee changes and deploy a strict regime for higher risk buildings that continues through the life of the building.”
