Policy is being developed following findings from the Hackitt reports and Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities announced it is developing new policy and legislation to improve the safety of high-rise residential buildings (HRRBs).
As part of the process, it is seeking to garner the views of those involved in the commissioning, construction, maintenance, and management of HRRBs.
The work follows the findings of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety in 2018 and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which was completed in September 2024.
In 2021, NI’s Department of Finance established an expert panel for the building safety programme, which was asked ‘to make recommendations to improve the NI regime for building safety; ensure a robust future regulatory system and framework; and ‘provide assurance to residents that the buildings they live in are safe’.
The panel outlined 15 recommendations in a report, including establishing a Building Safety Team and an Office for Building Safety, creating and maintaining a public register of HRRBs and introducing a mandatory requirement for smoke and heat alarms to be installed in all existing dwellings, like the approach in Scotland.
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Derek Kennedy, director of residential building safety, said: “The building safety system in Northern Ireland is highly complex and involves a great number of stakeholders across the private and public sectors. It is essential that we work closely with all those in the industry to co-design optimal solutions for the region.”
Public sector representatives can give their views at a session on Tuesday 21 January at 10am, while industry representatives can take part on Thursday 23 January at 12pm. Both sessions will be held at the Voco Hotel, Cromac Place, Belfast. Attendees can register by emailing the residential building safety team.
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