Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of creating an accreditation scheme for fire door replacement works to allow approved contractors to carry out such works without requiring Building Safety Regulator approval.

The government introduced the higher-risk building control regime to ensure more stringent oversight and accountability during the design and construction of higher-risk buildings, backed by stronger enforcement and sanctions. All proposed higher-risk building work now must receive approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before starting. These changes are in line with Dame Judith Hackitt’s recommendations to improve the focus on compliance with building regulations and to ensure residents are, and feel, safe in their homes.

However, we are aware that there are concerns regarding the impacts of the delays and the difficulty in getting approval for certain types of high-volume work to existing higher-risk buildings, including the repair and replacement of fire doors. We are working closely with the BSR to address these current challenges and to ensure the regime is proportionate and fit for purpose.

Nevertheless, allowing certain types of higher-risk building work to progress without BSR oversight risks inconsistency in applying building regulations, potentially compromising safety standards and resulting in non-compliance. Therefore, any changes would need to be carefully considered, particularly while the sector is still getting to grips with the new regime.

Competent Person Schemes allow registered professionals and companies to self-certify their work as compliant with the building regulations. Operation of a scheme is voluntary, as is membership of a scheme. Scheme operators are authorised under paragraph 4A of Schedule 1 to the Building Act 1984 and are named in Schedule 3 to the Building Regulations 2010.  After applying, they are assessed by the BSR and approved by MHCLG ministers. Before ministerial approval, applicants must demonstrate that they have the managerial, financial and technical ability to operate a scheme. This includes demonstrating compliance with the Conditions of Authorisation. At this time, no industry organisation has expressed interest in operating a Competent Person Scheme for the repair and/or replacement of fire doors.