GGF responds on fire consultations
3rd September 2019

The Glass and Glazing Federation reports that it has responded to three Government consultations related to fire safety, including the Building a Safer Future proposals submitted to Department of Business Energy Industrial Strategy, where it supports many of the findings of the Hackitt Report on the Grenfell fire.

In a summary on its report, it says: “In general the GGF response is very supportive of the recommendations within the Hackitt Report; believing that if enacted they would lead to a much more systematic and fair regulatory system which would ensure a much lower degree of fire risk for both new and existing buildings.

“That said, the GGF also urges that the MHCLG acknowledge that putting these recommendations in place must be carefully managed so as not to confuse the situation still further.”

The Federation has also responded to:

• A technical review of building bulletin 100: Design for fire safety in schools (submitted to the Department of Education)

•  A call for evidence related to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (submitted to the Home Office)

Adrian Blaydon, GGF Technical Officer and Secretary of the Fire Resistant Glazing Group said: “Given the significant scale and scope of all three consultations, the GGF ensured comprehensive responses were delivered against extremely tight deadlines.”

These consultations will shape the future of the construction industry and building regulatory system in the decades to come, and the GGF and Members who have contributed their expertise and knowledge to the consultations, have ensured a collective industry voice has been heard on the subject of fire safety in construction.

The GGF will now continue to lobby local and national Government to gather greater momentum on educating all those responsible for fire safety in buildings. In July, the GGF presented the importance of fire safety in the House of Commons at the meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fire Safety.

James Lee, GGF Director of External Affairs added, “The GGF will continue to work closely with our political advisors to ensure that any government actions regarding our responses to these consultations, will be fed back to GGF Members as soon as clear guidance can be interpreted.”

http://www.ggf.org.uk