An analysis of the most pressing concerns based on insights from 1,000 UK business leaders.
The proposal includes six key policy statements that the FPA believes the government should consider. These policies are already within the government's power to implement and are expected to improve safety and well-being while benefiting the UK economy.
The first policy proposal is to better protect schools and care homes by requiring the installation of sprinkler systems in all new and majorly refurbished facilities. This measure aims to enhance fire safety in these vulnerable environments.
The second policy focuses on ensuring the competency of fire risk assessors. The FPA suggests that all fire risk assessors should be appropriately qualified and certified under a suitable, UKAS accredited scheme. Ongoing professional development should also be provided to maintain their competence.
The third policy calls for continued support for the implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022 and its supplementary legislation. This includes backing the key role of the Building Safety Regulator in overseeing building safety.
The fourth policy urges the urgent implementation of initiatives that support the recommendations of the Morrell/Day Report on construction product safety. This report highlights key aspects that need to be addressed to enhance construction product safety.
The fifth policy emphasises the need to support the safe transition to net zero. The FPA suggests developing policies and guidance that focus on new energy technologies and low carbon construction techniques, while considering their impact on fire safety and property resilience.
The final policy proposal is to support planning system reforms with data-driven fire protection measures. The FPA recommends using data to effectively target fire protection measures, particularly in high-risk buildings and those located far from fire and rescue services.
By implementing these policies, the FPA believes that fire safety and property protection in the construction industry can be significantly improved. The organisation calls on the new government to prioritise these measures to ensure the safety and well-being of people in UK properties.
From an insurance perspective, any legislation which reduces risk is to be welcomed, and of course, whilst the safety of people is the primary driver of these recommendations, they also have the effect of reducing the potential for property damage. This in turn will be taken into account when rating the premises, so there could be a benefit in terms of premium savings if these measures are implemented.
The safe transition to net zero is also an important consideration for insurers. Whilst reducing carbon footprint is imperative, it is also essential that the use of alternative methods does not introduce unintended consequences, or merely transfer the risk from one area to another. For example, the use of timber in buildings is an excellent way of reducing carbon footprint, but as this material is considerably more combustible than the brick and concrete alternative, it does increase the risk to insurers, so causes issues with capacity and premiums. There is no easy answer to this conundrum, but careful planning and the layout of buildings may ease the risk of fire spread if these materials are to be used.
As with any kind of property risk, the essential part of risk management is to involve insurers at an early stage and ensure that they fully understand what is involved, and are able to have input in any areas where they may have concerns about the project.
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