The outgoing interim chief construction adviser has called on clients and funders to take primary responsibility for competence and safety across the built environment. Her final report argues that while stronger standards and smarter regulation are important, lasting improvement depends on behaviours, accountability and avoiding cost or programme pressures that undermine building safety.
Clarion Housing Association is pursuing a £113m dispute over a three-block residential scheme built by a former Willmott Dixon subsidiary, alleging serious fire-safety defects. The claim says the defects could create a risk of structural collapse, death or serious injury and seeks demolition and rebuild of the scheme.
New directions have relaxed regulatory oversight for small-diameter drilling associated with fibre optic cable installation, including in higher-risk buildings and non-higher-risk buildings. In HRBs, the work still requires prior written approval and post-completion notification to the Building Safety Regulator, with firestopping and other protections required on the same day the hole is made.
Siderise has launched a new inspection app to verify the installation of its passive fire protection and acoustic products, with the aim of creating evidence that can feed into a building’s golden thread of information. The system supports installer feedback, corrective actions and data capture for compliance, and is positioned to align with gateway requirements for high-risk buildings and emerging construction product reforms.
Gilbert Ash has been appointed main contractor for the £40m refurbishment of RIBA’s Grade II*-listed headquarters at 66 Portland Place in London. The scheme is part of RIBA’s wider House of Architecture programme and will include upgrades to building services, the external envelope, accessibility, fire safety, environmental performance and health and safety, with the project positioned as a pilot for the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard.
