Alongside the governments’ Single Construction Regulator announcement, the government published the next quarterly progress report on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. The progress report was accompanied by two further publications of importance, on the review by the BSR of the HRB definition and the regulation of fire engineers. The latter gives a glimpse of what is potentially coming down the line for other safety-critical professions.

HRB Definition remains unchanged

The Building Safety Regulator’s initial review of the definition of higher-risk buildings and plans for an ongoing review was published alongside the progress report. The document provides an overview of the BSR’s thinking, which concluded that the definition should remain unchanged for now, while recognising that the UK’s built environment is evolving at pace, and that the higher-risk building regime needs to be responsive to emerging evidence and issues. The Regulator and MHCLG have therefore agreed that the Regulator will operate an ongoing review of the definition of higher-risk buildings, alongside its duty to keep the safety and standards of all buildings under review.

Regulation of Fire Engineer professionals

The Fire Engineers Authoritative Statement and next steps for reform of the fire engineering profession Document was published, detailing that pending consultation in 2026 on the details of regulation and implementation, fire engineers would be fully regulated.

Statutory regulation of the title and function of a fire engineer would mean that, after primary legislation is implemented, only registered individuals will be legally permitted to use the title “fire engineer” or carry out restricted fire engineering functions and activities.

Subject to consultation, the legislation should:

• define the statutory functions of fire engineers, including design, delivery and periodic review of the fire safety strategy

• establish the legal basis for regulation of the profession, ensuring that there are consistent professional standards and robust enforcement

• set out the relationship between fire engineers and all relevant dutyholders, reinforcing that responsibility for safety is shared but clearly delineated

The government will identify the most suitable home for the regulator, drawing on models from other regulated professions, within and beyond the built environment.

This will consider the feasibility of expanding the remit of existing regulators and professional bodies or whether a new independent body is required, as indicated in the original Inquiry recommendation.

The regulator will be responsible for:

• defining and maintaining competency standards and ethical standards

• accrediting education programmes and approving routes to registration

• maintaining a public register of fire engineers

• monitoring compliance and overseeing professional discipline, including enforcement of standards and the code of conduct

All practising fire engineers, regardless of prior experience or qualifications, will be required to demonstrate their competence against the regulator’s standards, and once registration is introduced, entry to the register will be based on evidence of that competence.

Forthcoming consultation on Approved Document B

Government also shared in a letter that they will shortly launch a public consultation on proposed updates to Approved Document B, the statutory fire safety guidance within the Building Regulations.

The consultation will seek views on targeted clarifications and technical changes, including new provisions for evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18 metres, alongside measures to improve clarity and strengthen confidence in the guidance. These updates will be an important step in supporting inclusive design, safe evacuation strategies, and maintaining robust fire safety standards across the built environment.