The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have released a 'Position Statement' on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) calling on the government to tighten rules for the testing of offsite systems including volumetric modular methods.
The Position Statement says that while the NFCC understands that the Government is very supportive of MMC and see MMC as central to the delivery of ambitious housing targets and the Affordable Homes Programme, significant cultural change in the system must take place to improve competency levels across the sector and ensure that MMC is promoted and used in a manner which provides safe buildings for all.
Gavin Tomlinson, NFCC Protection and Business Safety Scrutiny Committee Chair said: "NFCC is concerned that MMC buildings are being designed, approved and built despite a lack of understanding about their performance. Given the current regulatory system has already been described and accepted by Government as 'not fit for purpose' even for traditional construction techniques, this adds additional uncertainty in the built environment." Mark Hardingham, Chair of the NFCC added: "It is vitally important to make sure that products and technologies are safe for use, including their likely performance in a fire, before they are used in the built environment. Not only is this important for safety but it also helps to protect leaseholders from unnecessary costs that can arise when buildings need remediation, or interim measures, including things like waking watches."
NFCC support reducing the environmental impact of construction wherever possible and recognise the role that MMC can play in achieving this. However, this must not be at the expense of safety. The Position Statement asks for a range of measures to ensure that new construction products and technologies do not contribute to the risk of fire and that there should not be a conflict between sustainability, improved building standards and fire safety.
The statement outlines: "Whilst we hold concerns and support proper scrutiny of all building and construction that use MMC, we hold particular concern around the following methods, particularly when in use for high-rise buildings, buildings that are housing vulnerable people, and buildings with a 'stay put' or an evacuation with designed delay: 3D Modular (Volumetric) construction - Category 1 of the MMC Definitions Framework (3D primary structural systems) and the use of engineered mass timber products e.g. CLT and glulam.
Amongst the many recommendations is a key aim that government should ensure that structural and fire engineers are included on its MMC taskforce announced in March 2021 and that the remit of the group is widened to focus on safety and promoting better understanding of the performance of MMC. Ben Brook, NFCC lead on Climate Change said: "We are understandably seeing a focus on sustainable building approaches and materials, including the use of timber and living walls. While these may present useful solutions to help reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, they should also be supported by evidence and testing to demonstrate their long term suitability and safety to provide reassurance for the lifetime of the building."
You can download the Position Statement from: www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk
