The chairman of the LGA, which represents all the local authorities in England and Wales, Lord Porter said last year’s Grenfell Tower tragedy has exposed a building safety system that is not fit for purpose.
Lord Porter added the “use and misuse” of desktop studies is at the “heart of the problem” and they should no longer be used for cladding systems on high-rise and complex buildings.
Last month, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government launched a consultation on plans to either restrict or ban completely the use of desktop studies as a way of assessing the performance of external cladding systems.
The proposals come directly as a result of the recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her interim report last year, which recommended the use of desktop studies be restricted.
A desktop study is a means of assessing whether an item is safe in lieu of a fire test.
“Unfortunately, upon a close reading of the consultation’s impact assessment, there is the admission that the Government’s proposals could result in more desktop studies,” said Lord Porter.
“Meanwhile the document does not offer a ban as a fully-fledged option.
“It is vital that the Government resists industry pressure that seeks to allow this continued use of these studies as a minimum,” added Lord Porter.
The peer also referenced the recent research by the Association of British Insurers and the Fire Protection Association, which claimed the laboratory tests used to check the fire safety of building material are inadequate.
“These findings make it clear that the Government must change the rules so that all material in cladding and insulation systems on complex and high-rise buildings has to be non-combustible,” said Lord Porter.
“The British Standards Institute has said that reforming the test would take 18 months. Building owners need clarity now as they seek to replace flammable cladding and insulation. Using non-combustible material only would provide that clarity.
“The tragedy at Grenfell Tower must never be allowed to happen again and no one should have to live in fear about their safety, be that in the buildings they live in, work in or visit,” he added.
