The government has acted swiftly to reject greater regulation of fire safety on timber frame construction sites and in residential blocks, following last month’s report from the London Assembly.

The Communities and Local Government department (CLG) has concluded that further regulation is “not an appropriate approach at this time”. DCLG says that while the London Assembly has been compiling its report on fire risks in tall and timber frame buildings, it has been examining these issues with the fire and rescue service, the industry and the Health and Safety Executive, and will continue to look at steps that can be taken to improve standards without regulating.

CLG says many of the concerns around timber frame buildings relate to risks during construction, and the Health and Safety Executive are now working with the industry to find technical solutions to address these risks.

In response to the London Assembly’s recommendation for mandatory minimum standards for fire risk assessors, a CLG spokesperson said:

"The fire sector has already taken steps to develop and agree, across industry, criteria against which to assess the competency of those offering fire risk assessment services, and for this to form the basis of an accreditation or registration scheme[s] on which 'responsible persons' can rely."

On the management of fire safety in residential blocks, the spokesperson said:

"We have recognised the need for guidance on managing fire safety in purpose built blocks of flats. We are therefore working with the Local Government Group and other sector partners to develop appropriate fire safety guidance for landlords across all housing sectors. We expect this to clarify a number of issues in relation to fire safety management, and to ensure that the residents in these buildings get appropriate advice from their landlords on what to do in the event of a fire.”

Responding to the government's decision, Chair of the London Assembly planning and housing committee, Nicky Gavron AM, said:

“We know dealing with fire risks during the construction phase of timber-framed buildings is primarily the remit of the Health and Safety Executive. 

“However, in the course of our inquiry, concerns were raised by representatives of the construction industry that Approved Document B, and the guidance it refers to (BR454) showing how timber framed structures need to comply with fire resistance requirements, needs to be re-examined. [CLG] periodically reviews the guidance contained in the Approved Documents, and our report urges them to do this sooner rather than later.

“We are not asking for further regulation, but the evidence we received suggests that existing regulations may be flawed and therefore require urgent review.”