The UK Government has been called upon to update its 11-year-old fire safety regulations to make them fit-for-purpose.

Responding to an Independent Review on Building Regulations and Fire Safety led by Dame Judith Hackitt, The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said it is time to end the use of combustible materials on the outside of new and refurbished buildings, as well as limit the use of combustible material on the inside.

In addition, the ABI is calling for the development of more robust testing regimes to prove materials are not combustible, and to replicate how these materials are used in real world conditions.


The organisation also asked for more clarity on the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in managing the fire safety of a building, as well as restating its call for the mandatory installation of fire sprinklers in new schools, care homes and warehouses over 2000m2.

ABI Director of General Insurance Policy, James Dalton, said: "It is time to end the outdated fire safety regulation of buildings that are putting lives at risk. Grenfell represents a systemic failure of the protection of buildings from fire in this country.

"The ABI has been calling for changes to buildings regulations since 2009 that would improve fire safety and it is terribly sad it took such a tragic event to bring about change.

"This review marks a seminal opportunity to recommend substantial change that will fundamentally improve fire safety in England's buildings, but also, as a consequence, make these buildings more commercially attractive risks to insurers, increasing competitiveness and benefitting customers through an associated effect on premiums."

(LM/MH)