Building Safety recap September, 2025
[edit] In brief
[edit] August extras in brief
Continued efforts to strengthen building safety and competence across the sector, with BSR launching new engagement routes to help applicants improve the quality and consistency of building control applications, encouraging early dialogue, feedback sessions, and the “Identify, Clarify, Justify” approach to minimise rework and delays. CITB has awarded he contract to train 100 rainscreen façade installers and 24 supervisors, addressing critical skills gaps in cladding remediation work post-Grenfell. Meanwhile, RICS clarified the position of EWS1 forms, now 5 years old and their gradual replacement, new government research on means of escape in high-rise buildings found that flat heat-detection alarms combined with building-wide voice systems most effectively reduced evacuation times, offering key insights for future safety strategies.
[edit] September in brief
In September 2025, significant developments in building safety and construction included the appointment of Thouria Istephan as interim Chief Construction Adviser and Paul Brown as chair of Build UK, coinciding with plans for £725 billion in infrastructure investment. Key fire safety initiatives included the LABC Fire Engineering Principlestraining, Fire Door Safety Week, and the CIOB awarding Kabbe Njie for work on cultural safety. The Regulator of Social Housing reported 1,926 life-critical defects in high-rise social housing, while the Building Safety Fund closed to new applications, with future remediation routed through the Cladding Safety Scheme. Parliament and committees continued scrutinising the Building Safety Regulator, focusing on remediation pace, guidance, staffing, and Grenfell Inquiry recommendations, as Barratt Redrow revealed over £1 billion in legacy safety costs.
[edit] August extras in detail
[edit] Getting building control applications right. August.
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has introduced a range of engagement opportunities to help applicants improve application quality and reduce delays. Dutyholders submitting multiple or complex applications can participate in feedback sessions, pre-application meetings, and direct discussions with case officers and technical specialists. These sessions clarify expectations, provide practical guidance, and address recurring issues to embed safety and quality from the design stage. Applicants are encouraged to share forward plans and adopt the “Identify, Clarify, Justify” approach to strengthen submissions, test assumptions early, and minimise rework, supporting timely regulatory decisions.
[edit] CITB cladding training. 27 August.
Company appointed for Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) £250,000 project to upskill 100 rain-screen façade system installers and 24 supervisors to accelerate remediation works required across the country.
[edit] RICS clarifies future for EWS1 forms. 8 August
The RICS EWS1 form, introduced in 2019 to assess cladding risks on high-rise buildings, was a temporary measure to help restore lender confidence after Grenfell. While still in use, RICS expects it to be phased out as new legislation—such as the Fire Safety Act 2021 and PAS 9980, requires formal Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs). EWS1 forms must be completed by qualified professionals and reviewed every five years, but most lenders now accept alternative evidence if remediation has been completed. RICS confirms no major updates to the form are planned, reflecting its gradual replacement by statutory safety assessments.
https://ww3.rics.org/uk/en/journals/built-environment-journal/ews1-fire-safety-forms-future.html
[edit] Means of escape for high-rise buildings research. 6 August.
Government publishes research it commissioned into the means of escape for high-rise buildings. Flat heat-detection alarms, combined with a building-wide voice system, most effective at reducing evacuation times, though still risks.
[edit] September in detail
[edit] Interim chief construction adviser appointed. 30 September.
On 30 September 2025, the government appointed architect Thouria Istephan as the interim Chief Construction Adviser within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. With extensive experience in the construction industry and building safety, Istephan will provide independent, expert advice to ministers on building safety, regulatory reform, and industry matters. Her role includes advising the Secretary of State on construction issues, monitoring Building Regulations, engaging with industry forums, supporting the creation of a single regulator, and guiding the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations. This 12-month interim appointment will lay the groundwork for the role’s permanent establishment in 2026.
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Chief_construction_adviser
[edit] LABC launch course on Fire Engineering Principles. 26 September.
The Fire Engineering Principles programme, developed in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (Phase 2, Recommendation 18), is an 11-part workshop series that equips professionals with the knowledge to assess and apply fire-engineered solutions. It covers key areas such as BS 7974, CFD, smoke ventilation, structural fire engineering, and PAS 8700, helping participants interpret designs, ensure compliance with legislation and standards, and provide evidence-based feedback on fire safety strategies.
https://members.labc.co.uk/training/courses/fire-engineering-principles
[edit] RSH publishes fire safety remediation report for Q1 2025/2026. 26 September.
The Regulator of Social Housing released findings from its latest survey on the fire safety of social housing buildings over 11 metres tall. Of the 17,146 buildings assessed, 1,926 were found to have life-critical fire safety defects related to external wall systems, with over 99.9% having undergone fire risk assessments. Around 71% of affected buildings are expected to be remediated within five years, and 906 of the 2,672 identified since 2017 have already been completed or are awaiting reassessment. The RSH will continue monitoring landlords’ progress, emphasising the need for swift remediation and strong oversight to ensure tenant safety.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rsh-publishes-fire-safety-remediation-report-for-q1-20252026
[edit] Industry Competence Committee - Setting Expectations for Competence Management. 25 September.
The Industry Competence Committee (ICC), established under the Building Safety Act 2022, is seeking feedback on its guidance document Setting Expectations for Competence Management. The ICC provides strategic leadership to improve competence in the built environment, advising both the Building Safety Regulator and industry. The guidance targets organisations involved in design, construction, or management of buildings, particularly Higher Risk Buildings, outlining how to meet competence management requirements under Part 2A of the Building Regulations 2010 and the Higher-Risk Buildings (Management of Safety Risks etc.) Regulations 2023. The consultation aims to ensure the guidance is clear, practical, and supports the development of effective competence management processes, with input requested on how case studies and examples could further assist industry understanding and application.
https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/icc-consultation/
[edit] CIOB Dockerill Award 2025 winner Kabbe Njie. 24 September.
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) awarded Kabbe Njie the 2025 Paul Dockerill Award in recognition of his pioneering work on cultural safety in the built environment. As a Principal Fire & Building Safety Engineer at Kier Group, Kabbe developed BSM² (Building Safety Management and Method), a framework that integrates organisational values with safety behaviours, and the Resident Culture Code Toolkit, co-designed with residents and professionals to foster shared understanding and communication on safety. Motivated by personal experience and the lessons of Grenfell, Kabbe emphasizes openness, trust, and psychological safety as essential to effective building safety. The award, carrying a £10,000 fund, honours the legacy of Paul Dockerill, promoting innovation and improvements in fire and building safety.
[edit] Sisk CEO appointed Build UK’s new chair. 23 September.
Paul Brown, CEO of John Sisk & Son, appointed chair of Build UK, succeeding Julie White at the organisation’s AGM. With over 25 years of civil engineering experience and having previously served as Build UK’s Vice Chair, Brown assumes leadership as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP, outlined plans for £725 billion in infrastructure investment over the next decade.
https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/sisk-ceo-appointed-build-uks-new-chair/
[edit] Fire Door Safety week. 22 September.
Launched in 2013 by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Fire Door Safety Week educates stakeholders on the correct use, installation, and maintenance of fire doors to ensure they protect lives and property, with support from key fire safety organisations. BWF research highlighted growing public concern over fire risks from lithium-ion batteries, especially in e-bikes and e-scooters, with 59% of owners reporting increased fears. The findings show workplace fire door issues are common, yet often underreported, and around 10% of people have experienced or know someone affected by a battery fire. In response, BWF’s 2025 Fire Door Safety Week, ran under the theme “Fire Travels Fast”, aimed to raise awareness of these emerging risks and promote proper fire door maintenance.
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Fire_Door_Safety_Week
https://www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk/
[edit] Barratt Redrow building safety bill tops £1bn. 20 September.
Barratt Redrow’s legacy building safety defects following its merger have cost over £1 billion to remediate, including £886.4m for post-Grenfell works and £187.4m for reinforced concrete frame issues. Despite these provisions, the merged group reported a pre-tax profit of £273.7m on £5.6bn revenue for the year ending 29 June 2025. The company is progressing with post-merger integration, including office closures, head office restructuring, and procurement harmonisation, aiming for £100m in cost savings. CEO David Thomas highlighted the solid performance in a challenging housing market, the strategic benefits of the Redrow acquisition, and the importance of supportive government policy to sustain sector growth and deliver long-term housing.
ttps://www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/09/17/barratt-redrow-building-safety-bill-tops-1bn/
[edit] Update on Cladding External Wall System (EWS) FAQs and EWS1. 11 September.
[edit] Building Safety Regulator; Oral evidence. 9 September.
Chris Griffin McTiernan (Deputy Director Operations at Building Safety Regulator). Philip White (Chief Inspector of Buildings at Building Safety Regulator). The Industry and Regulators Committee is investigating building safety regulation, focusing on the Building Safety Regulator’s role in approving high-risk buildings. The inquiry will assess whether BSR processes have delayed new high-rise construction or cladding removal, evaluate the impact of industry culture and capability, review the guidance provided to the sector, and examine whether the regulator has the necessary skills and resources to deliver timely approvals amid ongoing skills shortages.
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/25100/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
[edit] New Housing Secretary Steve Reed. 5 September.
New Housing Secretary Steve Reed appointed after Angela Rayner resigned as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, as well as from her other roles as Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of the Labour party. She resigned after admitting she had under paid taxes on a second home.
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Housing_minister
https://www.gov.uk/government/people/steve-reed
[edit] Government Building safety and resilience debate. 4 September.
Parliamentary updates show the government is taking a comprehensive approach to high-rise fire safety, focusing on accelerating remediation of critical defects like faulty cladding and compartmentation, with independent verification via Fire Risk Appraisals and Building Control approvals. Measures also protect leaseholders through insurance reforms, the Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility, FCA rules, and commission caps under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill. Progress continues on implementing Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations, while Building Safety Fund data indicates some funded buildings have yet to start remediation. Staffing pressures within the regulator are being monitored, and a review of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 is planned to assess effectiveness. These efforts aim to strengthen oversight, improve standards, and ensure safer, more transparent outcomes for residents and leaseholders.
[edit] The Building Safety Regulator; Oral evidence. 2 September.
The Building Safety Regulator - Oral evidence: Lorna Stimpson (Chief Executive at LABC). Darren Ettles (Secretary at Association of Building Control Approvers), Graham Russell MBE (Chief Executive Officer at Office for Product Safety and Standards), and Duncan Johnson (Deputy Director for Construction Products at Office for Product Safety and Standards)
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/25055/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
[edit] Building Safety Fund cease new applications. 1 September
As of 1 September 2025, the Building Safety Fund (BSF) closed to new applications. All new applications for government remediation funding for buildings over 11 metres in height in England are now to be made through the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS), managed by Homes England. Applicants should visit the Building Remediation Hub to start their application. The BSF will continue to progress the funding and remediation of buildings still in the Fund.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
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