Briefing: Redefining competency in fire-safe design

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry (GTI) reports paint a terrifying image of the construction industry as an ensemble, and particularly in all matters pertaining to fire-safe design. A careful look at these reports will help define responsibilities and legal procedures for many years to come. Nevertheless, it is also essential to address the future and how we evolve our practices and professionals in a manner that prevents a tragedy of this nature to happen again. For this purpose, a key message needs to be emphasised: a functional requirements system of regulation will not deliver what society expects unless a rigorous competency framework is created and implemented for all professionals involved in fire safety. The means to create such a framework and put it into practice is at the core of the GTI phase 2 recommendations.