Review Panel on Building Standards (Fire Safety) in Scotland: report

Annex 2: Formal scope and remit of the Review Panel

Scope

1. To review the standards and guidance for high rise domestic buildings and high rise residential buildings. A high rise building means a building with any storey at a height of more than 18 metres above the ground. A domestic building means a dwelling or dwellings and any common areas associated with a dwelling. A residential building means a non-domestic building having sleeping accommodation.

2. The primary focus for these high rise buildings is on standards 2.4 to 2.9 and standard 2.15. These standards cover cavities, internal linings, spread to neighbouring buildings, spread on external walls, spread from neighbouring buildings, escape and automatic life safety fire suppression systems.

3. Finally, the standards and guidance for the other building types (including low rise buildings) will be reviewed in light of any changes to standards or guidance from 1 or 2 above.

Remit

4. On the basis of the above, the review should consider Section 2: Fire of the Technical Handbooks in light of any evidence emerging from the Grenfell Tower fire in London on 14 ^th June 2017. It should look at the appropriateness of the current standards and guidance, the relevance of BS/ EU fire tests and provide opinion on any changes.

5. A questionnaire will be developed for international comparison of building standards relating to fire, associated guidance and trigger points. Particular focus will be on external wall cladding, fire tests and sprinkler provision.

6. Any issues raised by the Panel on the operation of the building standards system or the competency of those involved in the procurement, design, construction or verification of projects should be passed to the Building Regulation Compliance and Enforcement Review, which is running concurrently.

7. The scope and programme of the Panel will be reviewed as evidence emerges from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Independent Review of Building Regulations in England.