Safety regulations for tall buildings are “not fit for purpose”, a review prompted by the Grenfell Tower fire has found.

Current rules concerning the construction and maintenance of high-rise blocks were said to be confusing and left room for people to cut corners.

Dame Judith Hackitt, who is leading the probe, said a change in culture was needed to ensure safety is prioritised over costs in the construction industry.

She published her findings in an interim report, along with a series of recommendations on Monday (December 18).

The report said: “Many of the findings to date clearly identify the need for a major cultural shift across all of those who are part of the system within the construction, operation and maintenance of complex and high-risk buildings.

“The focus must shift from achieving lowest cost to providing buildings which are safe and fit for people to live in for years to come.”

Her review was ordered in the wake of the June 14 disaster, which raised fears that unclear industry standards had allowed dangerous material to be installed on towers.

Flames tear through Grenfell

Cladding installed on the exterior of Grenfell Tower a year earlier helped spread the flames, witnesses and experts have said.

The report said: “The work of the review to date has found that the current regulatory system for ensuring fire safety in high-rise and complex buildings is not fit for purpose.”

Dame Judith recommended that existing documents were “streamlined” to make them more understandable and tightened up so they were less open to interpretation.

She claimed that the building trade was suffering from competency issues and proper accreditation was needed for those overseeing fire safety in the design, construction, inspection and maintenance of all high-rise buildings.

Advice from the fire service should also be central to the design of any new building, she suggested.

A final report is expected to follow in spring 2018, focusing on overhauling the regulatory system and improving safety standards.

Dame Judith Hackitt, who chairs the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety set up following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, gives evidence to the Communities and Local Government Committee in Portcullis House, on Monday (December 18)

It is one of several probes prompted by the Grenfell Tower fire, alongside Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s public inquiry and a vast police investigation.

Grenfell Tower is reported to have had its cladding system switched to a cheaper version during the course of a refurbishment project.

The devastating blaze which followed also came despite residents repeated warnings about fire safety.

Dame Judith’s review recommended that a “clear, quick and effective route” for tenants’ concerns was established, while deviation from original design plans were “recorded and properly reviewed”.

The report added: “This is a call to action for an entire industry and those parts of government that oversee it. True and lasting change will require a universal shift in culture.”

The tower pictured on November 16, 2017

Regulators will now be brought together with the construction industry, councils and the government to discuss change as part of the review’s second stage in the new year.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told a regular Westminster briefing: “I think we would view the report as an important milestone ahead of the full report that’s due back in the spring.

“As we have said, we are determined to make sure that we learn the lessons from the fire and from the inquiries that are taking place.”

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