Scottish Government announces consultation on tougher safety standards on Grenfell anniversary as Glasgow blaze sees eight taken to hospital

The Scottish Government has announced a consultation on tougher building safety standards to coincide with the first anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire which killed 72 people.

The announcement came yesterday as New Gorbals Housing Association thanked the emergency services for a “prompt and professional” response to a fire in a Glasgow high rise building.

The fire began in a kitchen on the top (14th) floor property at 12 Commercial Court and made national newspaper headlines as it fell on the anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Eight people from the Glasgow fire were taken to hospital for treatment.

In a statement, the housing association said: “We are extremely grateful to the emergency services, including the Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, and Scottish Ambulance Service, for their prompt and professional response to the incident this morning.

“We are relieved that, with their help, there appear to have been no serious casualties as a result of the fire. Thanks also go to our tenants of 12 Commercial Court for the swift evacuation and their patience throughout the day.

“Our own efforts are currently being concentrated on helping those who have been evacuated from their homes to ensure their needs are being met, and to arrange for them to return home as soon as it is safe for them to do so. Glasgow City Council’s Resilience Team is co-ordinating these efforts and we will work with them to support all those affected.”

As people across Scotland prepare to hold vigils this weekend to commemorate those who lost their lives as a result of last year’s disaster in London, the Scottish Government said it has received advice from two expert panels chaired by Dr Paul Stollard and Professor John Cole about building safety north of the border.

Dr Stollard, chair of the Fire Regulations in Building Standards Review Group, has proposed expanding the use of sprinkler systems in Houses in Multiple Occupancies (HMOs) that are used as care facilities.

Professor Cole, chair of the Compliance and Enforcement in Building Standards Review Group, advised that changes to the completion certificate process are needed to drive building standard compliance of buildings critical safety aspects, and that a national hub of building standards experts be established to oversee the verification of complex and high rise buildings.

Communities Secretary Angela Constance said: “The Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety took place one year on from the Grenfell Tower fire where 72 people lost their lives and our thoughts remain with those affected by this tragedy at this difficult time. It has coordinated work to identify inappropriate cladding, reassure residents and enlist expert help to review the changes we need to make our building standards and fire advice safer.

“Professor Cole and Dr Stollard’s and work has shown that we are starting from a point of safety and we will move quickly to consult on their recommendations to create the most robust system possible that delivers even safer buildings.

“I would like to thank Dr Stollard, Professor Cole, their panel members, local authorities, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and everyone who has worked with us to reassure residents at a time of great uncertainty and continue to assist us to improve our systems and standards.”

Professor Cole said: “I am very encouraged by the proactive response of the Scottish Government in seeking to address a number of weaknesses that have come to the fore in the current compliance with, and enforcement, of building standards.

“There has been a comprehensive review of the current system which has resulted in the development of a number of proposals which, if implemented, should restore any loss of confidence in the safety of our new buildings.”

Dr Stollard added: “It has been a privilege to chair such a distinguished review panel and I was delighted we could achieve a consensus on the way forward.

“Scotland has for years prohibited the use of the most combustible cladding materials. Our recommendations suggest ways of strengthening these controls while ensuring that innovation is still possible providing it is carefully checked by competent authorities.”