ECA calls for stronger competency requirements in Building Safety Act
Leading electrotechnical and engineering services trade body ECA has called for more stringent competency requirements in the new Building Safety Act, which came into law on 29 April 2022.
The Act was introduced as a Bill by the government nearly a year ago, following the Grenfell Tower disaster, in which 72 people died, and Dame Judith Hackett’s subsequent independent report.
Commenting on the Building Safety Act, ECA Technical Director Mike Smith said:
“The new Act represents the biggest step so far towards safer homes since the tragic Grenfell Tower fire of 2017. But, the last-minute removal of the legal requirement for the role of Building Safety Manager was disappointing. The responsibility has been passed on to an ‘accountable person’ – but this risks confusion that could potentially impact the safety of a building in future.
“The competence of those working in buildings and on buildings now has a higher profile than ever before, but it cannot be overstated.
“From our perspective, the Act should place more responsibility on contractors, to ensure that the people doing the work to build and maintain high rise residential buildings are suitably qualified and competent.
“We are now counting on secondary legislation for more stringent competency requirements that will help make UK households even safer from the risk of fire.”
The Act marks the biggest overhaul in building safety regulations in nearly 40 years. It will update and amend other laws, such as the Landlord & Tenant Act of 1985, the Defective Premises Act of 1972 and the Building Act of 1984.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Building Safety Act.
- Building Safety Alliance.
- CIAT raises concerns about Building Safety Bill.
- CIOB responds to Newsnight report - Trapped: the UK's building safety crisis.
- CIOB reviews the Building Safety Bill.
- Fire safety bill.
- Golden thread.
- Government response to the Building a Safer Future consultation.
- Grenfell Tower fire.
- Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
- Hackitt Review.
- The Building Safety Bill - A Quality Response.
- The Building Safety Bill, regulations and competence.
- The golden thread and BS 8644-1.
[edit] Factsheets
A series of factsheets are available through Gov.UK, updated in April 2022 to provide more information about the provisions in the Building Safety Bill and how they will be implemented.
- Building safety leaseholder protections factsheet
- Dutyholders: factsheet
- Industry competence: factsheet
- Buildings included in the new more stringent regulatory regime: factsheet
- Impact Assessment: factsheet
- Building control regime for higher-risk buildings (Gateways 2 and 3): factsheet
- Safety Case: factsheet
- Safety management systems: factsheet
- Mandatory Occurrence Reporting: factsheet
- Building Safety Regulator: factsheet
- Amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: factsheet
- Accountable Persons: factsheet
- Golden thread: factsheet
- Refurbishments: factsheet
- Building control registration and regulatory oversight: factsheet
- Wider changes to the Building Act 1984: factsheet
- Building Safety Levy: factsheet
- Architects Competence: factsheet
- Architects Fees: factsheet
- Building registration and certification: factsheet
- Building Safety costs: factsheet for landlords & building owners
- Ongoing Building Safety costs: factsheet for leaseholders
- Construction products regulatory framework: factsheet
- Fire Safety Order interaction with the new regime for higher-risk buildings: factsheet
- National regulator for construction products: factsheet
- New Homes Ombudsman: factsheet
- Residents’ Voice: factsheet
- Special Measures: factsheet
- Building Assessment Certificate: transitional arrangements for existing buildings: factsheet
- Redress: factsheet
- New Build Warranties: factsheet
Featured articles and news
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.