Tough new reforms for building safety standards

Tough new measures to manage building safety are to be enforced under a £42 million government reform over the next three years.

Tough new measures to manage building safety are to be enforced under a £42 million government reform over the next three years.

New Building Control Inspectors and Fire Protection Officers will support the Building Safety Regulator in overseeing the safety and standards of the “design, construction, and management” of higher-risk buildings.

Around 110 Building Inspectors and 111 Fire Officers will be recruited by regulators such as Local Authority Building Control (LABC).

Funding will also go to fire and rescue services in England and the National Fire Chiefs Council.

The new standards for managing building safety for higher-risk buildings are being brought in under the Building Safety Act.

LABC chief executive, Lorna Stimpson, said Building Control Surveyors are a “scarce commodity”, adding: “It’s important that we start to invest in this previously underfunded but vital public service role.”

“The government is delivering important reforms under the Building Safety Act, including introducing the new Building Safety Regulator to oversee building safety and performance,” said minister for building safety, Lee Rowley.  “This taxpayer funding will give additional resource to local regulators who will support the work of the regulator in making buildings safer.”

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