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Grenfell Tower— a different perspective

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07 July 2017 / Theo Huckle KC
Issue: 7753 / Categories: Features , Health & safety , Public , Constitutional law
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Theo Huckle QC compares & contrasts the public safety policy agendas of administrations in Westminster & Wales

  • The tragedy of Grenfell Tower highlights how devolution has worked to create different legal provision in many areas of life, including in fire safety of buildings, and suggests that Westminster has something to learn from the recent approach of government in Wales.

Any new-build or refurbished building in England & Wales must comply with the 2010 Building Regulations, with technical requirements set out in Approved Documents to provide a level of flexibility on how the regulations are met (www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents). Approved Document Part B (last updated in 2013 for England) deals with fire safety and covers:

  • means of escape;
  • fire alarms;
  • fire spread, and
  • access for fire and rescue services.

Local authorities are responsible for enforcement and any major work must be regularly checked by Building Control. Fire Safety Authorities are statutory consultees on fire safety under the regulations. In 2007 the UK Government published Buildings Safety and Fire Safety

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