Calls for research centre to stop certifying MMC post-Grenfell

Peers have called for the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to be stripped of responsibility for certifying modern methods of construction (MMC), following criticism in the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report.A House of Lords debate on MMC yesterday (5 September) also heard calls from across the political spectrum for the BRE to be replaced.Peers said that the organisation, which assesses products for fire safety and building design, should stop assessing the safety of materials and properties.They warned the involvement of BRE in assessing modular buildings would impact on its take up because confidence in the organisation had been shattered by findings in the Grenfell Inquiry phase 2 report.The report said that the BRE’s testing of materials that were later used on the tower block had not been rigorous enough.It said: “Much of the work carried out by BRE was marred by unprofessional conduct, inadequate practices, a lack of effective oversight, poor reporting, and a lack of scientific rigour.”One peer said the organisation had been left compromised after it was privatised in 1997.Former Labour minister Lord Rooker said: “Given the Grenfell report, the BRE should no longer be involved in certifying modern methods of offsite construction techniques or products. Such work should be seen to be fully independent and professional.”He was joined by cross-bencher Baroness Wheatcroft.She said: “The biggest problem will be public confidence in modern methods of building, which will be at an all-time low after the publication of the latest Grenfell inquiry report.“I second Lord Rooker, in looking for a replacement for the BRE,” she said before quoting the inquiry’s findings.She added: “Who is going to feel comfortable being asked to buy, or live in, a property that has been overseen by such an organisation? Can the minister assure us today that the BRE will no longer have a role in establishing what materials are safe and what properties are okay for people to live in?”Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer also agreed.The housing communities and local government minister in the Lords, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, promised to write to the peers about the BRE’s future.She also acknowledged the concerns. “I recognise the concerns there will be following the Grenfell report,” she said. “The government take very seriously their responsibilities for ensuring that homes are safe for people.“Building regulations – and this is really important – apply equally to homes built using MMC as to those built using traditional methods. Buildings must meet the safety and performance requirements in the building regulations, no matter how they are constructed or what materials are used.”The minister added: “MMC developers and manufacturers are responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations for any construction project, including ensuring that new techniques are used correctly.”The debate is not the first time peers have raised concerns over the future of MMC. A committee has already called for clarity on Homes England and the government’s MMC strategy. Fresh concern was raised last month.In a statement to Construction News, BRE rejected the claims that it is not impartial and claimed its approach to testing is robust.A spokesperson said: “BRE has been privately owned for nearly 30 years and has made a significant contribution to expertise in the built environment throughout that period. BRE is owned by a charitable trust.“As a scientific, UKAS accredited, organisation built on independence and impartiality, we are constantly reviewing our procedures to ensure we adhere to industry standards and keep up to date with the many external factors that could impact our work. Our mission has always been – and will continue to be – to develop science-led solutions to built environment challenges, and we continue to take an extremely robust approach when it comes to our role as a tester and certifier of building products.”It added: “We will work with government to ensure BRE continues to contribute its standards and expertise to safety in the built environment.”In an earlier response to the Grenfell report, the organisation said: “BRE welcomes the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s report and fully supports the process of ensuring that a tragedy such as this can never happen again.“We will be reviewing the report and its recommendations and will continue to work constructively with government to ensure the new building safety and testing regime delivers on the findings of the inquiry’s report and is fit for purpose.”