Raising the Bar” interim report by Competence Steering Group

The Competence Steering Group (CSG) of the Industry Response Group (IRG), that the government set up after the Grenfell Tower fire, has published an interim report: “Raising the Bar”.

The interim report deals with competence concerns raised by the Hackitt Review of Building Regulation and Fire Safety in May 2018, and it concentrates on higher-risk residential buildings (HRRBs).

The report highlights twelve areas of competence and makes 67 recommendations. These deal with a wide range of issues, including supporting residents, procurement, accreditation and the creation of an HRRB competence framework. It also sets out some “Principles of Competence” to be adopted by those working on HRRBs.

Most significantly, the report recommends the creation of an industry-led “Building Safety Competence Committee” to improve levels of competence. This recommendation matches the government’s proposal for a new building safety regulator to ensure compliance and building safety in England.

The consultation inviting comments on the interim report ends on 18 October 2019.