Cladding and remedial fire safety work

The Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 has prompted debate about the adequacy of fire safety requirements in high-rise blocks, with a particular focus on standards of cladding applied to these blocks and its compliance with the building regulations. The Government appointed Dame Judith Hackitt to lead a review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, the interim report of which was published in December 2017. The interim report highlighted concerns around the complexity of regulations, roles and responsibilities, and enforcement.

Bu 16 February 2018, the Building Safety Programme had identified 314 residential or public buildings over 18 metres in England with Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding. 288 of these blocks are residential. 

The question of who is responsible for paying for remedial works has been described as a ‘legal quagmire’ and is at the forefront of debates about how quickly the necessary work can be carried out, and the financial implications for residents of affected blocks.