BSRIA chief executive, Julia Evans.
Julia Evans, BSRIA chief executive, issued this statement: “A wholesale and lasting culture change is needed in the delivery of buildings – especially around the current business model for building regulations which are supposed to ‘deliver what they are meant to deliver’ – all along the industry supply chain.
“One of the main report findings is ‘a lack of clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of those procuring, designing, constructing and maintaining buildings’ and BSRIA agrees that more collaboration is needed for delivery as it is intended.
“Indeed, BSRIA works endlessly in this respect with its Soft Landings programme – a building delivery process which runs through the project from inception to completion and beyond.
“Dame Judith said that ‘the regulatory system will ensure that anyone who tries to make shortcuts will be stopped before such buildings are designed and commissioned for people to live in’, which BSRIA sees as crucial. I hope the recommendations are taken up in full with the called for ‘joined-up implementation plan’ and that the race to the bottom, as Dame Judith put it, is halted.
“How building regulations are implemented is BSRIA’s key area of concern. A robust method of ensuring buildings are built to the intended standard is something BSRIA is calling for. In fact – the web of regulations – the standards themselves, the framework and implementation – needs unpicking. Independent verification of the performance of components and buildings is necessary.
“As an industry – we need to drive change in how we operate. We have a collective responsibility to create well-being. When lives are at stake, especially vulnerable ones, there can be no ambiguity.”
The Hackitt Review, published in full on Thursday 17 May, can be accessed online here.