New group aims to standardise fire safety design guidance across UK and Ireland

News31.07.254.00 PM by Ellie Brown

Architectural institutes have set up a new group to standardise fire safety guidance across the UK and Ireland.

The new group aims to make sure UK and Republic of Ireland architects have standardised fire safety guidance (picture: Alamy)

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Architectural institutes have set up a new group to standardise fire safety guidance across the UK and Ireland #UKHousing

Called the Belfast Group, it will work to make sure fire safety standards transcend national boundaries.

The coordinating body is made up of professional architecture organisations in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Members have committed to lobby their governments to make sure architects can get the information they need to design the safest buildings possible.

The coalition will also draw up guidance for people working in construction to inform decisions on procurement and resourcing of projects.

Five architectural institutes will have representatives on the Belfast Group: the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) and the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA).

The group’s name has been inspired by the conservation accreditation-focused Edinburgh Group, which has a similar purpose.

The president of each body will represent the group: Sean Mahon (RIAI), Karen Anderson (RIAS), Dan Benham (RSAW), John Lavery (RSUA) and Muyiwa Oki (RIBA).

In a joint statement, they said: “The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report makes clear that more is required to ensure our buildings are as safe as possible.

“This is relevant for every architect. While each jurisdiction has its own regulatory framework, there are core competencies on designing for life safety that transcend political boundaries and project typologies.

“Therefore, the Belfast Group will share best practice, knowledge and information in design standards for life safety.

“This coordination will ensure that appropriate training and competency standards are implemented across each nation.

“We continue to work with our relevant governments to ensure that our members have access to all the regulations, standards and technical information they need whilst also providing guidance to clients on how to support the procurement and resourcing of projects, so life safety is at the heart of the appointment process.

“These steps will help deliver safer buildings for all.”

The Phase 2 report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry was published in September last year. It made 58 recommendations, including the creation of a single construction regulator, an urgent review of the definition of a higher-risk building, and a licensing scheme for contractors working on higher-risk buildings.