BUILDING SAFETY CHANGES ARE HERE –ARE YOU READY?

his month sees momentum building in the implementation of once in a generation cultural and competence changes in building safety law that have long been anticipated since the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

Following that tragedy, IWFM supported the development of both Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and the Building Safety Act 2022 that resulted from it. Now we are finally here, the beginnings of the new regime, and it is crucial that FMs are up to speed with all the changes to ensure they are compliant.

FM is considered to be the go-to profession to support the e ective implementation of these measures, which is surely an opportunity to grasp.

To support facilities managers in implementing the many new requirements, IWFM has introduced a new CPD approved course called ‘Building Safety Act: what FMs need to know and do’ which is

Tavailable on our website.

This intensive one-day course, is delivered by Anthony Taylor, one of the leading experts in the development of the competences needed to deliver against the new regulations. As well as serving as Interim Chair of the Building Safety Alliance, his CV includes former chair of WG8 and the BSI Steering Group for PAS 8673.

The course is designed to give FMs the essential, practical information they need to understand and comply with changes brought in by the Building Safety Act 2022 and related legislation.

While parts of the new regime relate to management of residential property only, Part 3 of the Act relates to all building work, including refurbishment in occupation. This means that FMs working in mixed use buildings, hospitals or care homes also need to understand the new requirements. Furthermore, IWFM anticipates that many of the new requirements will quickly filter through to commercial property as best practice.

The changes in building safety arrive in the same year as the Institute’s 30th anniversary, which IWFM is celebrating by delivering on a new, memberinformed strategy to bring extra value to members and enable continuing professional development to workplace and facilities managers. The new course exemplifies our approach.

This year also sees changes in wider fire safety which I have written about here previously. In response to those changes, IWFM has updated its ‘Fire safety management’ good practice guide (GPG) in partnership with PlanRadar. Providing core good practice and signposting for facilities management professionals, those with Responsible Persons duties, and those acting on behalf of Responsible Persons, the guide sets out the key requirements for managing fire safety in England where the Regulatory (Reform) Fire Safety Order 2005 applies.

The GPG has been updated to include requirements from the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Building Act 2022, and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, and provides guidance on the relevant legislation for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

As a professional body, not only is it our duty to support our members when keeping people safe; it is also our duty to society.