Certification survey from UKTC reports transparency gaps in UK fire market

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UKTC survey reveals trust gaps in certification

United Kingdom Testing & Certification Ltd. (UKTC) has released a whitepaper stating that many UK fire safety professionals are dissatisfied with existing third-party certification schemes and are calling for more transparent processes eight years after the Grenfell Tower fire.

The company reported that 60% of surveyed professionals had experienced issues with their current certification providers.

According to UKTC, 82% of respondents said they wanted greater transparency in certification processes.

The survey, carried out among fire safety event attendees in 2024, captured comments describing some legacy schemes as having “inconsistent positions”, a “lack of transparency” and delivering a “poor value for money service”.

UKTC noted that 75% of respondents said they judge certification body credibility mainly on United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation status and regulatory compliance.

Andrew Hutchison, Operations Director at UKTC, said: “Despite the proliferation of third-party certification schemes, the sector still suffers from dangerous opacity.

“Field of Application reports, classification reports and test data are routinely withheld from the public, forcing specifiers and contractors to make critical safety decisions in the dark.”

UKTC ensure links certification to the Golden Thread

In response to the survey findings, UKTC has introduced UKTC ensure as a new third-party certification scheme.

The company said this scheme has been designed explicitly around the principles of the Golden Thread framework set out in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building a Safer Future report.

UKTC added that the programme is backed by UKAS accreditation under ISO 17065 so that every performance claim can be traced and each certificate can be verified.

The firm stated that UKTC ensure publishes all supporting documentation, including Field of Application reports and classification reports.

The scheme also provides real-time updates with version control, a secure digital vault that acts as a single source of truth for certification documents and product marking that uses QR codes to give access to performance data.

According to UKTC, the scheme accepts both British (BS) and European (EN) test evidence, as well as Extended Field of Application Reports.

The company said this approach reduces barriers to joining the scheme and creates a more open route to certification and independent verification of product performance.

Industry reports call for honest product claims

The whitepaper states that change in the product and certification market is described as non-negotiable.

It cites the Paul Morrell OBE & Anneliese Day KC Report, which sets expectations for manufacturers and conformity assessment bodies.

The report is quoted as stating: “It is for product manufacturers to develop products that do the job expected of them, and to market them honestly, making no false claims; it is for Conformity Assessment Bodies to test and assess those products against defined specifications, impartially and independently.”

UKTC positioned UKTC ensure as a response to concerns raised after the Grenfell Tower fire about how products are tested, assessed and described.

Hutchison added: “The lessons of Grenfell and subsequent inquiries cannot be ignored.

“Too often, critical voices and concerns were missed or dismissed, which cannot continue.

“Real change is long overdue, and change starts with transparent certification.”

Digital evidence and standards shaping new approach

UKTC explained that it was acquired by the SOCOTEC Group earlier in 2025.

The company said the new scheme reflects a wider move toward digital, accessible and version-controlled evidence frameworks referenced in government reports and British Standards.

The whitepaper links the UKTC ensure model to the approach set out in BS 8644-1:2022 for managing fire safety information across a product’s lifecycle.

According to UKTC, the secure digital vault and real-time updates are intended to keep performance data current for those who specify, install and maintain products.

The firm stated that QR code product marking is aimed at giving users direct access to certification evidence at the point of use.

Matthew Marriott, CEO of SOCOTEC UK and Ireland, said: “The release of this whitepaper highlights several concerning shortcomings in the third-party certification market at present.

“There’s a clear requirement for radical change, and we look forward to seeing UKTC ensure have a real positive change on the sector.”

How transparent certification data affects practice

Fire engineering consultants and risk assessors could use the survey findings and the UKTC ensure model when reviewing the reliability of test evidence that underpins their designs and recommendations.

System installers and fire-protection contractors may treat the full publication of Field of Application and classification reports as a practical way to see the exact scope and limits of tested performance before selecting products.

Architects and building services engineers could draw on the digital vault and version-controlled documentation when assembling and maintaining the Golden Thread of fire safety information across a project lifecycle.

Procurement officers and facility managers may use UKAS-backed certification records, accessible via QR codes, to check that installed products still match their certified performance claims during maintenance or refurbishment work.

Standards and certification bodies can reference the whitepaper’s feedback and its alignment with BS 8644-1:2022 when reviewing how their own schemes handle transparency, data access and the publication of supporting reports.

Grenfell Tower demolition under consideration amid ongoing inquiries

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementSafety

Media reports suggest Grenfell Tower could be removed

Media reports indicate that the UK government may proceed with the deconstruction of Grenfell Tower, according to statements from bereaved families and survivors.

The Guardian and Reuters, among other news outlets, reported that Angela Rayner, the UK’s deputy prime minister and housing secretary, met with affected families on Wednesday evening and suggested the tower would have to be taken down.

Grenfell Next of Kin, a group representing relatives of nearly half of those who died in the fire, stated that Rayner announced this decision during the meeting.

Further details are expected from the government later this week.

The government had previously stated that no changes to the site would take place before the eighth anniversary of the fire, which killed 72 people in June 2017.

Bereaved families and survivors raise concerns

Some families and survivor groups have raised concerns about the reported decision.

Grenfell United, which represents some of those affected, said the voices of bereaved families had not been properly considered.

“We’ve said this to every secretary of state for housing since the very beginning: consult the bereaved and survivors meaningfully before reaching a decision on the tower,” Grenfell United said.

Grenfell Next of Kin acknowledged the structural challenges but expressed disappointment, stating: “Do we wish the whole tower could stand forever? Yes. Is that an option? Not from a structural point of view.”

Ongoing inquiry and legal proceedings

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which published its final report in 2024, found that the fire resulted from systemic failures by the government and construction industry.

The report concluded that flammable materials installed on the building’s exterior contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

Inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick stated that those who lived in the tower were “badly failed” by authorities, with some failings attributed to incompetence and others to dishonesty and financial motives.

The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service and police have stated that their investigations will continue until the end of 2025, with final decisions on potential criminal charges expected by late 2026.

Plans for a permanent memorial

The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on proposals for a permanent memorial at the site.

A 2023 report recommended a “sacred space” for remembrance and reflection.

A shortlist of five potential designs for the memorial was confirmed in January 2025.

The commission expects a final design to be selected in 2026, with a planning application submitted later that year.

The commission has stated that if the tower is dismantled, it should be done “with care and respect.”

Reports indicate Grenfell Tower may be dismantled after government discussions: Summary

Media reports suggest that the UK government may be planning to dismantle Grenfell Tower, following discussions with bereaved families and survivors.

According to Grenfell Next of Kin, Angela Rayner stated in a meeting that the tower would have to be taken down, though no formal confirmation has been issued.

Further details from the government are expected later this week.

Survivor groups, including Grenfell United, have criticised the reported decision, stating that the bereaved were not meaningfully consulted.

Grenfell Next of Kin acknowledged structural concerns but expressed disappointment that the tower could not remain standing.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report in 2024 attributed the fire to systemic failings by the government and construction industry.

Legal investigations remain ongoing, with potential criminal charges expected by late 2026.

The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission is developing plans for a permanent memorial, with a final design expected in 2026.

If the tower is removed, the commission has stated that the process should be carried out with care and respect.

Funding delays push Grenfell Tower fire investigation timeline to 2026

by ConstructionFeatured NewsSafety

Metropolitan Police Grenfell Tower investigation delay

The Metropolitan Police’s investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire will not be completed until September 2026, according to The Telegraph.

Det Supt Garry Moncrieff informed survivors and victims’ families of a revised timeline due to a lack of financial resources.

The initial target was March 2026, but the new timeline has pushed the conclusion date by six months.

Moncrieff acknowledged the impact this delay may have on families and stated that the investigation, involving 160 officers, is one of the most complex ever conducted by UK policing.

Impact on criminal prosecutions

The delayed investigation timeline will affect subsequent legal proceedings.

Det Supt Moncrieff indicated that the delay will push Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) charging decisions to 2027.

The inquests into the deaths of 72 individuals can only proceed once criminal prosecutions are complete.

This means that the legal process could extend nearly 20 years beyond the 2017 tragedy.

Campaigners have criticised the timeline as exacerbating the suffering of those affected.

Campaigners’ response

Grenfell Next of Kin, a group representing victims and survivors, condemned the delay.

A spokesman stated: “This letter has heaped injustice upon injustice,” and accused authorities of exploiting the system.

The group expressed frustration over ongoing delays and questioned the necessity for further funding.

The campaigners noted that public inquiries, which heavily relied on police evidence, did not uncover fundamentally new findings compared to police investigations.

Government and police responses

The government has reiterated its commitment to supporting the investigation.

A government spokesman stated: “We share the community’s determination to get to the truth of what happened and for those responsible to be held to account.”

Dept Asst Commissioner Stuart Cundy acknowledged frustrations over the delays but emphasised the importance of conducting a thorough investigation to ensure justice is achieved.

Funding delays push Grenfell Tower fire investigation timeline to 2026: Summary

The Metropolitan Police’s investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire has been delayed by six months due to insufficient funding, pushing the conclusion date to September 2026.

The revised timeline has caused frustration among victims’ families and campaigners, as Crown Prosecution Service charging decisions will be delayed until 2027, further prolonging the legal process.

Campaign groups have criticised the police and government over the timeline and the additional funding request.

Both the government and police maintain that a thorough investigation is necessary to achieve justice.

IFE marks sixth anniversary of Grenfell Tower fire

by Featured NewsSafety

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has recently published an article concerning the ongoing effects and necessary action in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster. This comes as we await the much-anticipated second and final report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

The IFE underscores that the fire safety industry must persistently lead and work in tandem with its partners to restore faith in high-rise communities and the broader built environment.

Lessons learned from Grenfell Tower

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has revealed crucial insights and illuminated systemic failures that must be rectified to prevent such a tragic incident from happening again. The IFE insists that industries within the built environment must collaboratively learn from this calamity and take effective action to safeguard those who live in high-rise buildings. This calls for keeping industry professionals updated on the latest legislative changes.

Boosting competency levels

To protect the safety and welfare of high-rise communities, the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) and Fire Safety (England) Regulations have become focal points of discussion. In a bid to aid those working within the built environment, the IFE released guidance to help industry professionals navigate the new legislation and comprehend its effects on current fire safety practices.

In a joint effort, the IFE and The British Standards Institution (BSI) have devised a free webinar series to clarify the Building Safety Act Gateways and explain the processes to adopt. As an additional competency measure, the IFE has recently enforced a rule that mandates new and existing individuals to be dual registered with the Engineering Council, guaranteeing a proficient and diverse group of fire safety professionals.

Prompting necessary change

The Fire Sector Federation (FSF) initiated a campaign in October 2022, advocating for a more extensive conversation around a national fire safety strategy to mitigate fire risks within the UK. The IFE played an instrumental role in the development of this document, identifying possible risks and raising competency standards. A comprehensive update on the progress of the document will be presented in October at the annual FIRE conference.

Restoring trust and confidence in high-rise communities necessitates cooperation among all stakeholders within the built environment. The fire sector remains committed to its mission of protecting life, property, and the environment, persistently enhancing operational capabilities, investing in training, and sharing knowledge and best practices.

As we draw nearer to the sixth anniversary of the Grenfell tragedy, the pain and trauma experienced by the victims and their loved ones are acknowledged. The fire sector is steadfast in its commitment to honour the memory of the lost lives and ensure that their legacy acts as a catalyst for enduring change, in partnership with the community to ensure a safer future for all.

Read the article from the Institution of Fire Engineers here.

Authorities knew dangers of cladding that caused Grenfell tower fire

by Breaking NewsProjects

Long before the Grenfell Tower fire, a senior official has admitted that the government knew the folies of the cladding used in the building.

The official, reported The Guardian, knew that plastic-filled cladding panels burned “fast and fierce”, 15 years before the incident. It was also known that these sort claddings weren’t suited to be used in tall buildings.

Anthony Burd, the principal fire safety professional and later head of technical policy in the government’s building regulations division from 2000 to 2013, denied there was a cover-up.

The tests revealed a “catastrophic” failure in the cladding panels, with flames reaching 20 metres into the air within five minutes.

Similar panels went on to be used on more than 400 high-rise blocks, including Grenfell, where they were the main cause of the spread of the fire on 14 June 2017 that killed 72 people.

Burd said the results should have been published but denied that this did not happen because the government feared it would trigger “an immediate cladding crisis” and was afraid of the response of the companies who made the materials.

The inquiry is focusing on how combustible insulation foams and aluminium composite panels (ACM) filled with a plastic core that burns like petrol came to be allowed on Grenfell and thousands of other homes. It has already heard how Arconic, which made the combustible panels on Grenfell, targeted the UK market for sales of its most combustible polyethylene-filled panels because of less stringent requirements.

London Mayor consults residents on guidance to improve fire safety

by Building ManagementFeatured NewsIndustry Sectors

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is spearheading important fire safety improvements
in the capital. The London Mayor has launched a full public consultation
on innovative draft guidance to ensure all new developments are designed with
the highest standards of fire safety from the earliest stage, keeping
Londoners, their property, and the fire service safe.

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, in which 72 Londoners tragically lost
their lives, Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review highlighted the need to transform the
fire and building safety regime. Dame Judith recommended that ‘some minimum
requirements around fire safety will need to be addressed when local planning
authorities are determining planning applications and will require input from
those with the relevant expertise’.

Khan has a strategic planning role for the city and his ‘London Plan’ sets
out guidance for development and building across the city.

He has also reiterated that the fire safety requirements in existing
national Building Regulations are not fit for purpose and the progress of
reform is too slow. With this draft Fire Safety London Plan guidance, Sadiq is
leading the way in London to ensure fire safety is embedded in the early stages
of all planning processes.

This guidance sets out how developers should demonstrate compliance with the
Mayor’s detailed London Plan policies to achieve the highest standards in fire
safety and ‘safe and dignified’ evacuations. This is in addition to the
Government’s fire safety considerations that apply only to a limited number of
buildings at the planning application stage.

The draft guidance also highlights that it is the responsibility of
developers to demonstrate that their developments can be constructed and
occupied safely with regards to the highest standards of fire safety, in a way
that won’t impact neighbouring buildings. To ensure this, the design of the
development needs to consider fire safety and the safe and dignified evacuation
for all from the outset – for example, where a fire engine will park in the
event of fire, whether there is a safe and accessible evacuation route for
occupants, whether the external walls are made of non-combustible materials and
what fire safety measures will be incorporated into the buildings.

CCS develops revolutionary fire safety solution

by Products

Contactless Check Solutions (CCS) has developed an industry-first solution to “transform” the fire safety sector in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

According to the company, its “simple” solution to make fire safety inspections faster and more accurate will reportedly ensure fire door compliance in line with UK regulations.

The method involves using a pin containing a unique identifier that is then installed into a fire door at manufacture or retrofitted.

The company’s fire inspection app can then be installed on a smartphone or tablet and is used to scan the pin and give the inspector access to the door’s manufacturing and maintenance history in real time.

The app will then prompt the inspector to complete a checklist with compulsory photos which automatically update the record stored on the cloud.

Building owners and managers will have quick and easy access to see a complete overview of all their fire door stock, site by site, floor by floor, using a simple traffic light system, and the history of each and every door, the Maryport firm said.

Andy Tyas, managing director, said: “The fire safety industry is under intense scrutiny after Grenfell. The government is looking closely at how and when fire doors are inspected, maintained and managed.

“The development of this project will benefit the people responsible for the building as well as the regulatory authority to ensure correct inspections are being carried out in accordance with building regs.”

CCS is being supported by the Made Smarter North West adoption pilot, which helps SME manufacturers to adopt digital technologies.

Mr Tyas added: “Made Smarter funding and advice has accelerated development of the technology by two years and dramatically increased our chances of being first to market with a technology that could transform the fire safety sector.”

CCS said the innovation will make it easier for owners and managers to ensure compliance with UK regulations by establishing a consistent system for fire door inspection programmes, regardless of the type of building.

With nothing similar currently on the market, CCS said it is targeting manufacturers of the six million new fire doors produced every year in the UK, as well as the managers of the hundreds of millions of fire doors currently installed.

CCS directors Sean Parnaby, David Reay and Andrew Tyas have been manufacturing fire doors for almost 20 years.

According to CCS, it isn’t just focussed on the UK market and has already had discussions with building managers in Europe and the Middle East.

The company are also discussion with door manufacturers, inspectors and local authorities regarding applying the solution to refuse chutes in high rise buildings and sprinkler systems.

https://ccs-fire.com/

Proposed fire inspector numbers are “gross underestimate” of building safety crisis after Grenfell blaze

by Passive

The UK government expects to fund just a dozen extra staff to inspect and enforce fire safety in more than two million homes after the Grenfell Tower blaze, new analysis reveals, in what’s being termed a “gross underestimate” of the resources needed to tackle the building safety crisis in England.

The revelations have prompted calls from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) for ministers to establish a permanent statutory advisory body for the Fire and Rescue Service, allowing the voices of front line firefighters and inspectors to influence the “dangerously short-term thinking” of Whitehall and to provide a ‘reality check’ before final votes take place on the Fire Safety Bill.

Currently in its committee stage, the Fire Safety Bill would extend responsibility for Fire and Rescue Services to inspect and enforce fire safety in the common parts of all of England’s multi-occupancy buildings, including building structures, external walls, stairs and doors between residences.

The Government doesn’t know how many flats will be covered by the legislation, but a Home Office impact assessment estimate lies between 1,189,200 and 2,198,600. However, there are currently just 951 Fire Safety Officers in England qualified to carry out fire safety audits.

Numbers “should be doubled”

The Government estimates that just £700,000 extra per year will be required for the inspections, a sum of money that would pay for just 12 full-time fire safety inspectors. The maximum estimated spend is £2.1 million, which would pay for just 35 inspectors. This equates to less than one per Fire Brigade in England.

The FBU says that fire inspector numbers should be doubled to seriously tackle the building safety crisis.

The Home Office assessment “does not include any additional enforcement costs” despite clear testimony from tenants’ organisations and housing campaigners alike that fire inspectors are likely to find breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 when they carry out audits.

The Government did not consult the FBU when drafting the bill.

Matt Wrack, general secretary at the FBU, gave evidence in front of the Fire Safety Bill Committee on Thursday 25 June. He criticised cuts to specialist fire safety teams and has called for investment in Fire and Rescue Services.

For most of the post-war era, there was a statutory fire sector body that would oversee policy and legislation, with representation from fire chiefs, fire safety experts and front line personnel through the FBU. The Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council was scrapped back in 2004, “allowing consecutive Governments to pursue a period of significantly reduced oversight and deregulation of building safety”

National disgrace

Wrack said: “Three years after Grenfell, Britain’s fire safety regime remains a national disgrace and politicians are responsible. This legislation is long overdue, but insufficient. The Fire Safety Bill in its current form is a gross underestimate of the realities of the crisis. Without funding a significant increase in fire inspector numbers, this change in the law will not ramp up enforcement on rogue landlords. Ministers need a serious reality check.”

He continued: “At best, the Government is planning to fund less than one extra fire inspector in each Fire and Rescue Service for a massively expanded workload. We should be talking about immediately doubling inspector numbers to make a dent in this crisis. Oversights like this are symptomatic of a system that excludes those most affected from the policy-making process. Better engagement with tenants and firefighters would mean the chances of another disaster like Grenfell could be significantly reduced.”

Wrack concluded: “The Government must finally bring back a statutory fire sector body that represents the views of front line firefighters, fire safety inspectors and tenants. It’s the only way to end the dangerously short-term thinking that prospers in Whitehall.”

UK commemorates Grenfell Tower’s third anniversary

by Breaking NewsEvents

The United Kingdom has marked the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower apartment block fire with a virtual church service to remember the 72 people who died in the blaze.

Sunday 14th June marked three years since a small kitchen fire in the west London public-housing block turned into the worst domestic blaze in the country since World War II.

The fire spread rapidly and engulfed the 24-story building, shocking the nation and prompting a widespread investigation into low-cost and flammable cladding at high-rise buildings.

“As a nation, we are still dealing with the consequences of what happened and working to make sure it never happens again,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a video message to be shown at an online commemoration service. “While those affected by Grenfell are not able to gather in person, I want you to know that all of us in this country are with you in spirit.”

“I remain absolutely committed to uncovering the causes of this tragedy and ensuring it is never repeated.” In tribute to each victim who died in the fire, the bells of London churches will toll 72 times and green lights will glow from tower block windows to show solidarity with survivors and the bereaved.

The Humanity for Grenfell group recently held an online, multi-faith service and a 72-second moment of silence to remember the victims. Campaigners have also accused local and national authorities of allowing the installation of dangerous external cladding that became a major contributor to the rapid spread of the fire.

A public inquiry into the disaster was paused in March because of the coronavirus pandemic and is due to restart in July. Police have said no one is likely to face criminal charges until 2021.

The continuing Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its first report in October, highlighting “significant systemic failings” by the London Fire Brigade, including poor evacuation, command and communication procedures. Fire chiefs rejected the criticism.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick promised changes to building regulations to “ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.”