'Suitable and sufficient'? UK regulation of post-construction fire safety

There have been considerable reductions in UK fire deaths and casualties over the last fifty years, but on-going innovation in the built environment means that fire risks need constantly to be reappraised and addressed. This innovation takes the form not only of new materials and architectural approaches, but also of new methods of fire safety regulation. While existing research has addressed many aspects of this innovation, one crucial area has been neglected: that of post-construction fire safety regulation. This thesis examines this topic focusing on how fire safety is maintained during the life times of buildings. All new buildings have fire safety features that are a requirement of design approval, but these need to be maintained and used appropriately for the remainder of the building's operational life. The key development in UK post-construction regulation in recent years has been the shift towards self-regulation in which the onus is on duty holders (usually the employer) to assess and maintain an appropriate level of fire safety. This thesis documents the emergence, rationale, and operation of this system, and addresses key issues and concerns with the way it functions. In particular, the efficacy ... (continues)