A forum for open discussion on communities and local government policy.

Achieving Building Standards

The Government has recognised that there are some issues with the existing system of Building Regulation, including concerns about compliance and enforcement. In particular, the Government is interested in reviewing the effectiveness of its guidance, concerns about industry’s ability to find the right resources, and questions about whether Building Regulations are targeting the right things in the right way.

As a result we have initiated a programme of work to consider the current situation of Building Regulations and how we manage and maintain them, and to identify what we might do to improve this.

This topic will provide input to this work and will run until 13 December 2006. Below is a list of the points that we hope that this discussion will help us to address. We anticipate that many people will want to contribute to this discussion, so in order to manage the site more efficiently we will only be able to display responses which address at least one of the questions below, and which follow the discussion rules of this site.

  • Are building standards regulating for the right things in the right way?
  • Are these standards being achieved, and if not is there anything stopping them from being enforced?
  • What helps people to comply with them?
  • What stops people from complying with them?
  • How could we improve compliance and why will this work?

All of your views are welcome and will be even more effective if you state in which capacity they are made; either as a member of the general public e.g. home owner or as someone with a professional interest e.g. architect.

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Are building standards being achieved?

Posted by momant on 12/12/2006 - 16:59

Probably not, but generally it doesn't show until a problem occurs or accident happens.

Lack of in-depth training and shortages of both properly qualified and experienced tradesmen and inspectors means that building standards can be ignored. The problems of training have been exacerbated by the ever-changing, often incomplete, regulations.

The building industry needs single (by trade) ladders of in-depth training leading to recognisable qualifications which clearly differentiate between the levels of training and experience. These qualifications need to be clearly understood by all clients (including the general public) and they need to be of sufficient quality to engender respect. Attainment of these qualifications needs to be as publicly recognised as, for example, A levels or university degrees. More carrots - fewer sticks.

Standards also need to be revised for greater simplicity and clarity.

More discretion should be allowed to skilled tradesmen and inspectors to encourage imaginative solutions.

Principles and education are better bases for safety than superficial codes that constantly need changing.

Reduce compliance fees as far as possible to encourage co-operation.

Encourage pride in, and demonstrate respect for, Quality. Clarify standards and training. Encourage recruitment and training in the trades and create an affordable and safe resource for clients.

Skill shortages, confusion and high compliance costs favour 'cowboys'.

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