Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report: Scottish Government response

7: Design competence

Background

Recommendations 15 - 18 refer to the roles, responsibilities, and training of fire engineers, as well as other construction professionals, to support the delivery of safe buildings. The report notes that the fire engineering firm employed for the Grenfell Tower refurbishment failed to properly execute its duties and lacked rigour in its approach. There was a failure to recognise that the fire engineers were part of the design team for the project. There was evidence to indicate that the fire engineers considered their role as getting through building control rather than ensuring the safety of the public.

The need to have a well-defined regime for the registration and oversight of fire engineers as a profession is identified. The need to support the development of the profession through accredited degree courses is also recognised.

Recommendation 19 seeks to identify the response to date, since the Grenfell Tower fire, by professional institutions to improve the education and training of architects.

Recommendation 15 (para 113.25)

The profession of fire engineer be recognised and protected by law and that an independent body be established to regulate the profession, define the standards required for membership, maintain a register of members, and regulate their conduct.

Rationale

The report set out the failings of the fire engineer on the project and included general discussion on fire engineering failures. Consideration of measures employed by other countries in response to incidents were examined including governance of construction work and licencing of those involved in the design and delivery of buildings to offer assurance of competence in their declared role. Registration is based upon a clear and consistent definition of the role and function of the fire engineering professional.

Scottish context

This is a reserved matter but there is a devolved interest in development of proposals. Regulation of professions is a UK matter under the Professional Qualifications Act 2022.

There is a need to ensure the competence of those responsible for the design and specification of buildings in the delivery of safe buildings, the role of the fire engineer was one of several professions identified. At present, such a regulation is uncommon in the construction sector and may reasonably give rise to discussions on the case for broader, similar action across other safety-critical disciplines.

Devolved administrations and a range of public sector bodies will have an active interest in the development of this discussion and the case for regulation of the profession. This includes national guidance currently provided on the application of fire engineering solutions to demonstrate compliance with building regulations, for both design and verification roles.

Scottish Government response

The Scottish Government accepts this recommendation. We will work with UK Government and our public sector partners including the SFRS, Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS), the SBSH and relevant professional institutions to understand and support the development of a more robust UK assurance regime for fire engineers. This will include how we collectively reference the profession and the role they undertake in the delivery of the outcomes sought by building standards and fire safety legislation.

Recommendation 16 (para 113.26)

That the government take urgent steps to increase the number of places on high-quality master's level courses in fire engineering accredited by the professional regulator.

Rationale

The Inquiry calls for a more rigorous approach to the profession of fire engineer noting the need for professional education and training of candidates based upon agreed professional standards.

Scottish context

Devolved to the extent that Scottish Government can influence action by higher education bodies in Scotland directly or indirectly through changes in legislative safety regimes. A lack of qualified fire engineers is a known issue in Scotland. There are examples of institutions no longer running degree courses due to financial pressures or lack of applications.

Recommendations 16 & 17 are intrinsically linked, and the Scottish Government would welcome engagement. Work is required to frame the prioritisation of actions and understand how we will move from the current regime and actors, who are still actively supporting fire-safe design across sectors, to a new regulatory regime which addresses education, confirmation of initial and ongoing competence.

Scottish Government response

The Scottish Government accepts this recommendation. Scottish Government will consider for Scotland and will work with UK Government and devolved administrations to identify routes to market for further high-quality degree courses.

Recommendation 17 (para 113.27)

Government to convene a group of practitioner and academic fire engineers and such other professionals as it thinks fit to produce an authoritative statement of the knowledge and skills to be expected of a competent fire engineer.

Rationale

The Inquiry found much to consider in the testimony of experts from academia on the topic of fire engineering as a role and profession. The report refers to ‘a suitably qualified fire engineer’ and the standards which could be expected from ‘a reasonably competent fire engineer’. The importance on defining competence of building professionals such as fire engineers is also raised.

Scottish context

This is a reserved matter but there is a devolved interest in development of proposals. Any discussion on changes to the role of fire engineers will be of interest to the Scottish Government and our public sector partners who are active in developing fire engineering expertise.

We recognise that such an exercise should draw heavily from the evidence and experience of those parties who have current and proven track record in defining and validating professional competence schemes operating along similar lines or themes.

Scottish Government response

The Scottish Government accepts the recommendation and will work with and support action by the UK Government to bring together practitioners, academic fire engineers and other professionals to review the definition and management of fire engineering as a profession.

Recommendation 18 (para 113.13)

Work in collaboration with industry and professional bodies, encourage the development of courses in the principles of fire engineering for construction professionals and members of the fire and rescue services as part of their continuing professional development.

Rationale

The Inquiry identified issues which can arise simply because those involved in the design or delivery of a building do not have a basic understanding of fire safety or fire engineering principles. Absence of knowledge prevents informed decision making and actions. The report notes that ‘other construction professionals and more senior members of the fire and rescue services need to have a basic understanding of the principles of fire engineering as they apply to the built environment’.

Scottish context

This matter is devolved to the extent that the Scottish Government and others can influence action by industry and professional bodies based or operating in Scotland. We are supportive of, action by professional institutions to define and improve competence of designers on fire safety design as a risk topic.

As legislative provisions and supporting guidance is progressed as part of the work of other recommendations, we will seek to provide assurance that any change arising from review is delivered collaboratively and communicated clearly to practitioners to support the understanding and application of fire safety principles in the context of Scottish legislation.

Scottish Government response

The Scottish Government accepts the recommendation and will work with the UK Government and professional institutions to define and improve competence of designers on fire safety design as a risk topic.

Recommendation 19 (para 113.14)

That the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) should review the changes already made to ensure they are sufficient.

Rationale

The Inquiry identified failings of the architect on the Tower refurbishment programme. It did however recognise that architecture, as a profession, is taking action to improve the education and training of architects on fire safety matters. This recognises the role these professionals play, often leading or coordinating project design teams and the influence they and an informed duty of care can have on overall quality of delivery for a development.

Scottish context

Regulation of professions is a UK matter under the Professional Qualifications Act 2022. The architecture profession is regulated by the Architects Act 1997 providing the framework for all statutory duties and responsibilities of the ARB.

Devolved administrations and a range of public sector bodies will have an active interest in the development of this discussion and can also engage with institutions operating at a UK level. This includes the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) as the chartered body for Architects in Scotland.

Scottish Government response

The UK Government response of 26 February 2025 notes that this recommendation is accepted by the RIBA and ARB and that they welcome steps already taken to provide a base level of knowledge and understanding and support further changes as needed.

The Scottish Government accepts this recommendation, has engaged with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and notes the ongoing activity by UK and Ireland architectural institutions to support competence in fire safety design.