Building Safety recap February, 2026 - Revision history

Editor at 15:55, 9 March 2026

2026-03-09T15:55:39Z

Editor at 15:49, 9 March 2026

2026-03-09T15:49:47Z

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	== January ==		== January ==

−	The ICSG and BSi Built Environment Competence Hub launched, Scottish building regulations - fire safety review and compliance, BSR ~~becomes~~ standalone body in landmark step towards single construction regulator	+	The ICSG and BSi Built Environment Competence Hub launched, Scottish building regulations - fire safety review and compliance, BSR became a standalone body in landmark step towards single construction regulator. Also rom December the Fire Engineers Advisory Panel’s Authoritative Statement was over looked. the planning of statutory regulation of both the title and core functions of fire engineers. Competence and ethics to design, oversee and maintain fire safety strategies through building life cycles, clearer responsibilities, stronger education and accreditation pathways, and a long-term, phased transition towards a regulated, accountable profession focused on public safety and trust. The review of Scotland's Building Standards led to the Compliance Plan Approach (CPA) approach for verifying high-risk buildings (HRBs), requiring a Compliance Plan Manager (CPM) and phased legislation aiming to trial and mandate this for safer buildings, with verifiers following national steps amid ongoing consultations.

	== February ==		== February ==

Editor at 12:35, 9 March 2026

2026-03-09T12:35:07Z

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	== February ==		== February ==
		+
		+	In brief key events from February include: BSI's PAS 2000 which gives construction product manufacturers a due diligence framework for bringing safe products to market. The Construction Products Reform White Paper set out significant product reforms based on the earlier green paper responses, along with the proposed General Safety Requirement to require all manufacturers to conduct risk assessments and provide accurate product information to close current regulatory gaps. BSR's data showed a 250% rise in Gateway 2 decisions with 86 remediation cases closed. whilst remediation data showed progressed across ACM cladding, the Cladding Safety Scheme, and social housing self-remediation with around 1,200 blocks still applying. The interim Chief Construction Adviser Thouria Istephan set out her priorities around product reform and professional standards ahead of her September 2026 handover and the first Grenfell Phase 2 Annual performance report confirms 12 of 58 recommendations are complete with 70% on track by year-end.
		+
		+	Other items include an independent study which found sprinkler and water mist effectiveness data cannot be meaningfully compared due to differing contexts; the FIA's updated environmental guidance summarises post-Brexit legislation on climate, waste, and chemical restrictions for fire protection firms; PAS 9970-1 available to provide fire safety management guidance for larger construction sites while PAS 9970-2 sets specifications for temporary fire alarm systems; the updated BS 750 standard strengthens certification requirements for underground fire hydrant covers in response to Grenfell Inquiry recommendations; the IFE and FIA are calling for unpublished BS 8414 cladding test data to be anonymised and publicly released; BS 9990 covers best practice for non-automatic firefighting systems such as wet and dry risers; and BS ISO 3941 has been updated to introduce Class L, a new fire classification for lithium-ion battery fires.

	= In detail =		= In detail =

Editor at 07:20, 9 March 2026

2026-03-09T07:20:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:20, 9 March 2026
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	[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/General_safety_requirement_(GSR)_for_construction_products https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/General_safety_requirement_(GSR)_for_construction_products]		[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/General_safety_requirement_(GSR)_for_construction_products https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/General_safety_requirement_(GSR)_for_construction_products]

−	FIA (Fire Industry Association) Environmental Guidance Legislative Overview	+	The Importance of Compression in Cavity Barriers. 24 February 2026
		+
		+	[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/The_Importance_of_Compression_in_Cavity_Barriers https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/The_Importance_of_Compression_in_Cavity_Barriers]
		+
		+	FIA (Fire Industry Association) Environmental Guidance Legislative Overview. 18 February

	Replacing Fact File 36 (2009) to summarise current UK environmental legislation affecting fire protection companies post-Brexit, including climate change controls, sustainable design, pollution permitting, waste management, and chemical restrictions such as PFAS, F-gases, and hazardous waste rules. The guidance, focused on England and Wales but signposting devolved regimes, is a high-level awareness tool rather than a full legal manual, and highlights emerging duties around sustainability, reporting, and circular economy principles so firms can prepare for future regulatory change		Replacing Fact File 36 (2009) to summarise current UK environmental legislation affecting fire protection companies post-Brexit, including climate change controls, sustainable design, pollution permitting, waste management, and chemical restrictions such as PFAS, F-gases, and hazardous waste rules. The guidance, focused on England and Wales but signposting devolved regimes, is a high-level awareness tool rather than a full legal manual, and highlights emerging duties around sustainability, reporting, and circular economy principles so firms can prepare for future regulatory change
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	[https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/ https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/]		[https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/ https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/]

−	PAS 9970-1:2026 Fire safety in construction – ~~Organization~~ and site fire safety – Code of practice. 18 February	+	PAS 9970-1:2026 Fire safety in construction – Organisation and site fire safety – Code of practice. 18 February

	This part of PAS 9970 applies to larger construction projects (over 30 days with more than 20 workers on site at once, or over 500 working days in total) and gives guidance to contractors on setting up proportionate, strategic fire safety management systems for both organisational and site-specific risks. It excludes sites with very high‑risk special hazards like large petrochemical, nuclear or explosive facilities, which need additional or different fire precautions beyond the scope of this document.		This part of PAS 9970 applies to larger construction projects (over 30 days with more than 20 workers on site at once, or over 500 working days in total) and gives guidance to contractors on setting up proportionate, strategic fire safety management systems for both organisational and site-specific risks. It excludes sites with very high‑risk special hazards like large petrochemical, nuclear or explosive facilities, which need additional or different fire precautions beyond the scope of this document.
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	BS ISO 3941:2026 Classification of fires. 1 February		BS ISO 3941:2026 Classification of fires. 1 February
		+
		+	The BSI (British Standards Institution) have issued an update to international standard BS ISO 3941:2026 Classification of fires, introducing Class L to reflect fires involving lithium-ion (L-ion) cells and batteries with no metallic lithium. Class L-related batteries may include those used in rechargeable lithium-ion cells and battery packs, and the revised standard aims to support more accurate risk assessment, fire protection strategies, and preparing for potential firefighting measures.

	BS EN 2:1992 classifies fires into six main types based on fuel source: Class A (ordinary combustibles like wood or paper), Class B (flammable liquids like petrol), Class C (flammable gases like propane), Class D (flammable metals like magnesium), Class E (electrical equipment, marked by a spark symbol rather than a letter), and Class F (cooking oils and fats)		BS EN 2:1992 classifies fires into six main types based on fuel source: Class A (ordinary combustibles like wood or paper), Class B (flammable liquids like petrol), Class C (flammable gases like propane), Class D (flammable metals like magnesium), Class E (electrical equipment, marked by a spark symbol rather than a letter), and Class F (cooking oils and fats)

Editor at 07:14, 9 March 2026

2026-03-09T07:14:14Z

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	[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-government-annual-report-february-2026/grenfell-tower-inquiry-phase-2-annual-report-february-2026 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-government-annual-report-february-2026/grenfell-tower-inquiry-phase-2-annual-report-february-2026]		[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-government-annual-report-february-2026/grenfell-tower-inquiry-phase-2-annual-report-february-2026 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-government-annual-report-february-2026/grenfell-tower-inquiry-phase-2-annual-report-february-2026]
		+
		+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =
		+
		+	* Building Safety wiki recap for 2025.
		+	* Building Safety recap January, 2026
		+	* Building Safety recap December, 2025
		+	* Building Safety recap November, 2025
		+	* Building Safety recap October, 2025
		+	* Building Safety recap September, 2025
		+	* Building Safety recap August, 2025
		+	* Building Safety recap July, 2025

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]

Editor at 05:39, 6 March 2026

2026-03-06T05:39:23Z

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−	[[File:~~Building Safety Wiki Recap Feb 26 1000~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:Building_Safety_Wiki_Recap_Feb_26_1000.jpg\|link=File:Building_Safety_Wiki_Recap_Feb_26_1000.jpg]]

	= In brief =		= In brief =

	== January ==		== January ==
		+
		+	The ICSG and BSi Built Environment Competence Hub launched, Scottish building regulations - fire safety review and compliance, BSR becomes standalone body in landmark step towards single construction regulator

	== February ==		== February ==

Editor at 05:35, 6 March 2026

2026-03-06T05:35:44Z

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		+	[[File:Building Safety Wiki Recap Feb 26 1000.jpg]]
		+
	= In brief =		= In brief =

Editor at 21:49, 5 March 2026

2026-03-05T21:49:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:49, 5 March 2026
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	[https://www.ife.org.uk/home/news/details/call-for-publication-of-bs-8414-test-data https://www.ife.org.uk/home/news/details/call-for-publication-of-bs-8414-test-data]		[https://www.ife.org.uk/home/news/details/call-for-publication-of-bs-8414-test-data https://www.ife.org.uk/home/news/details/call-for-publication-of-bs-8414-test-data]
		+
		+	BS 9990 Non-automatic firefighting systems in buildings - Code of practice. 5 February
		+
		+	This British Standard gives recommendations for non-automatic firefighting systems, such as wet and dry fire mains, in buildings. It covers good practice in matters affecting the design, installation, testing and maintenance of such systems.This British Standard does not cover hose reels, foam inlets, automatic foam systems and portable firefighting equipment.
		+
		+	[https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2025-00481 https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2025-00481]
		+
		+	BS ISO 3941:2026 Classification of fires. 1 February
		+
		+	BS EN 2:1992 classifies fires into six main types based on fuel source: Class A (ordinary combustibles like wood or paper), Class B (flammable liquids like petrol), Class C (flammable gases like propane), Class D (flammable metals like magnesium), Class E (electrical equipment, marked by a spark symbol rather than a letter), and Class F (cooking oils and fats)
		+
		+	[https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/classification-of-fires-3 https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/classification-of-fires-3]

	Corporate report Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2: Annual Report February 2026 Updated 2 March 2026		Corporate report Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2: Annual Report February 2026 Updated 2 March 2026

Editor at 21:45, 5 March 2026

2026-03-05T21:45:17Z

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	[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-government-annual-report-february-2026 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-government-annual-report-february-2026]		[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-government-annual-report-february-2026 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-government-annual-report-february-2026]
		+
		+	Sprinkler data not directly comparable to water mist data, study finds. 25 February 2026
		+
		+	An independent study reported by the Fire Protection Association concludes that official UK fire incident data cannot validly be used to compare the effectiveness of sprinklers and water mist systems, because the systems are used in different contexts and forms, making like‑for‑like statistical comparisons methodologically unsound.
		+
		+	[https://www.thefpa.co.uk/fire-and-risk-management-journal/news/sprinkler-data-not-directly-comparable-to-water-mist-data-study-finds https://www.thefpa.co.uk/fire-and-risk-management-journal/news/sprinkler-data-not-directly-comparable-to-water-mist-data-study-finds]

	General safety requirement (GSR) for construction products. 24 February 2026		General safety requirement (GSR) for construction products. 24 February 2026
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	[https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/ https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/]		[https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/ https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/]
		+
		+	PAS 9970-1:2026 Fire safety in construction – Organization and site fire safety – Code of practice. 18 February
		+
		+	This part of PAS 9970 applies to larger construction projects (over 30 days with more than 20 workers on site at once, or over 500 working days in total) and gives guidance to contractors on setting up proportionate, strategic fire safety management systems for both organisational and site-specific risks. It excludes sites with very high‑risk special hazards like large petrochemical, nuclear or explosive facilities, which need additional or different fire precautions beyond the scope of this document.
		+
		+	[https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2023-02419 https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2023-02419]
		+
		+	PAS 9970-2:2026 Fire safety in construction. Design and installation of temporary fire alarm systems. Spec. 18 February
		+
		+	This part of PAS 9970 sets requirements and performance criteria for life‑critical temporary fire detection and alarm products used on construction sites, aimed mainly at manufacturers, suppliers and specifiers, and not covering permanent systems or deciding which features are suitable for any given installation.
		+
		+	[https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2023-02420 https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2023-02420]
		+
		+	BS 750:2023+A1:2026 Underground fire hydrants - Surface box frames and covers - Specification. 13 February
		+
		+	Two-month public consultation on an updated BS 750 standard for underground fire hydrant surface box frames and covers, responding to Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Recommendation 40 by clarifying flow coefficient measurement definitions, strengthening third-party verification and certification requirements, and enhancing technical specifications for greater consistency, transparency and accountability in hydrant design, manufacture and testing to support reliable emergency response
		+
		+	[https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2025-01893 https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2025-01893]

	Call for publication of BS 8414 test data. 11 February		Call for publication of BS 8414 test data. 11 February

Editor at 21:36, 5 March 2026

2026-03-05T21:36:34Z

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	[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Construction_Products_Reform_White_Paper,_February_2026 https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Construction_Products_Reform_White_Paper,_February_2026]		[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Construction_Products_Reform_White_Paper,_February_2026 https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Construction_Products_Reform_White_Paper,_February_2026]
		+
		+	Building Safety Remediation: monthly data release - January 2026. 26 February 2026
		+
		+	The January 2026 Building Safety Remediation data release for England reports progress across ACM cladding, the Building Safety Fund, the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS), the developer remediation contract, and social housing self-remediation, drawing on Homes England’s National Remediation System and other programme data. It explains that CSS statistics now exclude buildings still in pre-application or eligibility checks, noting around 1,200 social housing blocks with unsafe cladding are currently applying to the CSS, while several hundred more have yet to apply or confirm self-funded remediation, with future publications updating totals as schemes progress.
		+
		+	[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-remediation-monthly-data-release-january-2026/building-safety-remediation-monthly-data-release-january-2026#:~:text=Cladding%20Safety%20Scheme%20(CSS)%20%E2%80%93,in%20the%20pre%2Dapplication%20stage. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-remediation-monthly-data-release-january-2026/building-safety-remediation-monthly-data-release-january-2026]

	Corporate report Grenfell Tower Inquiry Government Annual Report. 25 February 2026		Corporate report Grenfell Tower Inquiry Government Annual Report. 25 February 2026
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	[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/General_safety_requirement_(GSR)_for_construction_products https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/General_safety_requirement_(GSR)_for_construction_products]		[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/General_safety_requirement_(GSR)_for_construction_products https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/General_safety_requirement_(GSR)_for_construction_products]
		+
		+	FIA (Fire Industry Association) Environmental Guidance Legislative Overview
		+
		+	Replacing Fact File 36 (2009) to summarise current UK environmental legislation affecting fire protection companies post-Brexit, including climate change controls, sustainable design, pollution permitting, waste management, and chemical restrictions such as PFAS, F-gases, and hazardous waste rules. The guidance, focused on England and Wales but signposting devolved regimes, is a high-level awareness tool rather than a full legal manual, and highlights emerging duties around sustainability, reporting, and circular economy principles so firms can prepare for future regulatory change
		+
		+	[https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/ https://www.chsg.co.uk/fia-issue-revised-environmental-guidance-legislative-overview/]

	Call for publication of BS 8414 test data. 11 February		Call for publication of BS 8414 test data. 11 February