Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations: progress update - March 2026

Theme - Building Standards, fire tests and product certification

Recommendation 5 – Approved Document B Review and Update

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Secondary legislation

Target date – 31/12/2030

Activity since last update

In response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report, the Scottish Government committed to undertake a fundamental review of Section 2 (Fire) of the Technical Handbooks.

The Inquiry’s recommendations (5 – 9) result from the lack of clarity on the effectiveness of the UK Government’s published fire safety guidance leading up to the Grenfell Tower fire. The recommendations consider a wider need for review and increased clarity in the guidance to the building regulations and status of statutory guidance generally.

We plan to address these recommendations through a further and broad review of the regulations, standards and guidance that contribute to Section 2 (Fire). Starting with a call for evidence.

The purpose of this Call for Evidence (CFE) is to help shape and inform this review in considering changes to the standards and processes set within The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as amended) and other published guidance documents to improve provisions addressing fire safety.

The call for evidence includes questions on:

• the Grenfell Phase 2 report recommendations (a general call for evidence on any aspects of fire safety guidance that requires new guidance and / or clarification, Legal status of the technical handbooks (guidance), Compartmentation / external fire spread and the Stay Put strategy, Means of escape for vulnerable and disabled people, Fire Strategy / Fire Safety Design Summary, Membership of the expert review group and Regulating the profession of fire engineering)
• the general layout and usability of the technical handbooks including presentation, the need for more diagrams or explanatory text and what issues should be reviewed, including emerging issues. This will also include where we can improve on intent and interpretation
• performance versus prescriptive guidance
• general topics of interest for inclusion in the review including respondent suggestions; and
• simple omissions and issues for example outdated references that could maybe be resolved with early revisions.

Planned activity

The consultation analysis will begin shortly after the closure of the CFE with completion of the work expected in Autumn 2026. However, the time to complete this analysis work will depend on the numbers and complexity of the consultation responses received.

Work to set up expert panel.

Further information - Scottish Building Regulations: Fire Safety review and Compliance: Call for Evidence - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space.

Recommendation 6 – Building Regulations Compliance Warning Implementation

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – 31/12/2030

Activity since last update

As recommendation 5 above.

Planned activity

As recommendation 5 above.

Recommendation 7 – Stay Put Policy and Evacuation Assessment Review

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – 31/12/2030

Activity since last update

As recommendation 5 above.

Planned activity

As recommendation 5 above.

Recommendation 8 – Integration of Fire Spread Rate and Inclusive Evacuation Time Assessment Requirements in Building Safety Documentation

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – 31/12/2030

Activity since last update

As recommendation 5 above.

Planned activity

As recommendation 5 above.

Recommendation 9 - Academic Inclusion in Guidance Advisory Bodies

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – 31/12/2030

Activity since last update

As recommendation 5 above.

Planned activity

As recommendation 5 above.

Recommendation 10 - Mandatory Fire Safety Strategy Requirements

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Secondary legislation

Target date – 31/12/2030

Activity since last update

As recommendation 5 above.

Planned activity

As recommendation 5 above.

Recommendation 11 - External Wall Testing Methods Development

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – 31/12/2030

Activity since last update

In July 2025, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) established a six-member expert panel, bringing together academic, industry and technical expertise to oversee and challenge the development of proposals. An interim report is expected in spring 2026. This work has included ensuring relevant recommendations 5 to 12 are addressed in a coherent and proportionate way.

Activity since last update

BSD will seek engagement and will work with UK Government counterparts (BSR).

Further information - Annual Report February 2026: the construction industry - GOV.UK.

Recommendation 12 – BS 9414 Usage Guidance Update

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – 31/12/2030

Activity since last update

As recommendation 5 above.

Planned activity

As recommendation 5 above. Will be considered as part of the expert panel work including engagement with UK Government counterparts (BSR).

Recommendation 13 - Construction Product Certification Reform

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

A Construction Products Reform Green Paper was published by the UK Government on 25 February 2025 seeking views on proposals for reform by 21 May 2025. Construction Product Regulations is a reserved matter and Scotland follows the regime defined for the UK. Following analysis of the Green Paper responses a White Paper was published on 25 February 2026 and will remain open for views from interested parties until 20 May 2026.

Planned activity

We will continue to engage with MHCLG and DAs on this to hear about next steps when the consultation period closes on 20 May 2026.

Further information - Construction Products Reform White Paper - GOV.UK.

Recommendation 14 - Test Results Transparency Initiative

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

As recommendation 13 above.

Planned activity

As recommendation 13 above.

Recommendation 40 - BS 750 Flow Coefficient Amendment

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – 13/11/2026

Activity since last update

The British Standards Institution along with an expert panel have prepared a revised draft to amend BS 750 to include a description of the circumstances under which the flow coefficient to which it refers in paragraph 10.2 is to be measured. The draft was issued for public comment on 13 February and will close on 13 April 2026. Subject to the volume and nature of consultation responses, publication is scheduled for 16 November 2026.

Planned activity

BSD Fire Team to monitor the outcomes of the public consultation and progress/confirmation towards the scheduled publication. This will involve monitoring the BSI and UK Government updates.