A new standard for building safety has been launched by the Engineering Council.
The new UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment contextualised for Higher-Risk Buildings (UK-SPEC HRB) has been developed by the Engineering Council in response to recommendations made in Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of building regulations and fire safety, ‘Building a Safer Future’.
This was commissioned by the UK government in the aftermath of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. It clarifies the competences and the commitments of engineering professionals working on higher-risk buildings.
The standard was unveiled at an official launch at the House of Lords earlier this month.
The new standard is tailored for engineers and technicians working in the built environment, particularly on the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of higher-risk buildings, said the Engineering Council.
It incorporates the criteria from BS 8670 and sets out a sector-specific competence framework consisting of a core document and discipline annexes.
At the launch event, Dame Judith highlighted why it is important to have assured competence of those working on higher-risk buildings and that this must be centred on professionalism.
“People who will uphold high standards of professional conduct themselves and call out those who undermine that in any way,” she said.
She stressed that wider industry must be informed about the new standard and the benefits of being able to prove that buildings have been designed and constructed by demonstrably competent people.
Engineering Council CEO Paul Bailey said: “We are very proud to be launching this new Standard today which presents a significant milestone in our continuing work with the professional engineering community to ensure public safety in the built environment.
“We hope the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire and the sad loss of 72 lives will never be seen again. UK-SPEC HRB will provide a means for those engineers and technicians working in the built environment, particularly on the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of higher-risk buildings, to become professionally registered.
“This is the first step however and it is our hope that UK-SPEC HRB is embraced and championed by the sector and the wider engineering profession, and that the Standard, and the Register of those individuals assessed against it, will support the continuing improvement of public safety across the sector,” he added.
The new standard can be downloaded at UK-SPEC HRB
Image: Shutterstock
