The London headquarters of the Department for Communities and Local Government – the department responsible for fire safety legislation in England and Wales – has again come under scrutiny amid a report of glazing falling out over the building’s atrium.

Last year, info4fire revealed how Eland House in Westminster had been the subject of enforcement action in February 2010, after inspectors found numerous breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. Those breaches were said to have been rectified by June 2010, according to fire minister, Bob Neill.

But a report last week on Fire magazine’s website quoted a source as saying the building has ‘over 200 faults, many significant’. It also claims that a section of the building’s atrium glazing fell out during a recent weekend, requiring an immediate inspection which identified further weaknesses.

When info4fire contacted DCLG, they were unable to confirm whether the failed glazing was connected to any fire safety issues. But a spokesperson did confirm that no enforcement action has been taken or was being considered by the Crown Premises Inspection Group, as happened last year. He also emphasised that the Fire magazine report referred to Eland House having ‘failed its fire certificate’, a reference to fire safety legislation that was abolished five years ago.

"DCLG commissioned a fire risk assessment (FRA) for Eland House in 2010 using an external specialist to ensure a competent review of fire management systems, he said. "All actions raised within this FRA have subsequently been addressed.

“A subsequent risk assessment, carried out in May 2011 by a different external specialist identified further items for action and additional recommendations. The department is currently addressing each of these items with only five of 22 actions remaining.

“The department is currently working with its facilities management supplier to ensure the remaining items are completed in a cost effective manner."