The Building Regulations Advisory Committee

Neil Cooper

Chair

Background

BRAC

• Set up in 1962 under the Public Health Act• Now authorised by the Building Act 1984• Has a statutory role• It’s a NDPB and a Scientific Advisory Committee• Sponsored by Communities and Local Government

Role and Purpose

BRAC

• “To advise the Secretary of State on the exercise of his power to make building regulations and other subjects connected with the building regulations”

• The SoS must “consult with BRAC before making any substantive building regulations”

BRAC doesn’t write the regulations BRAC doesn’t project manage the regulatory programme BRAC does provide expert support to this work BRAC has moved from reactive to strategic

Who are they?

BRAC

• Members personally appointed by the Secretary of State• Positions advertised• No absolute numbers – currently 18 members• Broad spectrum of experience and interest:

ConsumersHouse buildingDesign EngineeringBuilding controlFire safety Construction management

• 3 year appointment, max 10 yrs service• Members serve in a personal capacity

The Power to make Building Regulations

BRAC

Defined by the Building Act

•Health, safety, welfare and convenience of people in and around buildings•The conservation of fuel and power•Preventing waste, undue consumption, misuse or contamination of water•Furthering the protection or enhancement of the environment•Facilitating sustainable development•Furthering the prevention or detection of crime

A new Government sets the context

BRAC

James Wharton is new to Building Regulations and learning quicklySummer recess post election – little time to focus on “non headline” policy areasNo longer a coalition – potential impact on regulatory policy?

Red tape reduction •£10bn savings through cutting regulation•“Productivity” agenda•One in two out policy•Guidance and standards are viewed as RegulationResources•25% and 40% “real savings” plans for unprotected departments

A new Government sets the context

BRAC

BRAC work programme•Cost effective carbon reduction•“Productivity” agenda - building on the Housing Standards Review•Reviewing the Building Control system•Periodic reviews of the Requirements and Approved Documents – Part B

Feedback from Lakanhal House Inquest

BRAC

AD B is a most difficult document to use ….it is recommended that your Department review AD B to ensure that it;

provides clear guidance in relation to regulation B4.… is expressed in words and adopts a format which are intelligible to the wide

range of people and bodies engaged in construction, maintenance and refurbishment of buildings…..

“Provides guidance which is of assistance to those involved in maintenance or refurbishment of older housing stock…..

I can assure you that my Department is committed to a programme of simplification. However, the design of fire protection in buildings is a complex subject and should remain, to some extent, in the realm of professionals. We have commissioned research which will feed into a future review of this part of the Building Regulations. We expect this work to form the basis of a formal review leading to the publication of a new edition of the Approved Document in 2016/17. The revision would be drafted in accordance with a new ‘style guide’ for Approved Documents, aimed at ensuring the guidance is capable of being more easily understood, and that the need to cross- reference is reduced.

Government response

BRAC

AD B is a most difficult document to use ….it is recommended that your Department review AD B to ensure that it;

provides clear guidance in relation to regulation B4.… is expressed in words and adopts a format which are intelligible to the wide

range of people and bodies engaged in construction, maintenance and refurbishment of buildings…..

“Provides guidance which is of assistance to those involved in maintenance or refurbishment of older housing stock…..

I can assure you that my Department is committed to a programme of simplification. However, the design of fire protection in buildings is a complex subject and should remain, to some extent, in the realm of professionals. We have commissioned research which will feed into a future review of this part of the Building Regulations. We expect this work to form the basis of a formal review leading to the publication of a new edition of the Approved Document in 2016/17. The revision would be drafted in accordance with a new ‘style guide’ for Approved Documents, aimed at ensuring the guidance is capable of being more easily understood, and that the need to cross- reference is reduced.

Approved Document B – the current position

BRAC

Ministerial approval to proceed not yet given

•Usability study this winter - better, cost effective guidance that practically helps all users of the document. Not about content or policy.•Background research in progress (fire statistics etc)•Working group not yet formed•Realistic timescale – 2 to 3 years from approval to proceed, dependent on resources•Lots to consider if approval given

BRAC receives many views

BRAC

• Should Part B include• High integrity fire detection system in all new commercial

premises to reduce false automatic fire alarm call outs • Sprinklers in warehousing over 4,000sqm• Fire ingress and the risks in combustible voids in modern

constructions• Are there higher priority issues?• High risk premises and potential for multiple life loss• Sprinklers in new homes• Effectiveness of horizontal compartmentation • Or is Part B still fit for purpose?• Year on year reduction in life loss (for a variety of reasons)• Alternative methods - behavioural change

BRAC

Thank You