The UK government launched an independent review of building and fire safety regulations after the result of the fatal Grenfell Tower blaze.

The review will now investigate the current building and fire safety regulations, particularly focusing on those that apply to high-rise residential buildings.

“This follows the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, which raised serious questions about the fire safety of high-rise residential buildings, and subsequent government testing of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding from similar buildings across the country,” said the government’s Department for Communities and Local Government.

“Immediate action is already underway to ensure the safety of residents in these buildings. But the results also make clear that we need to understand how current building regulations and fire safety works in order to make them as effective as possible in the future.”

As part of the review, chemical engineer Judith Hackitt, the government’s former health and safety commissioner, will consult the construction industry, fire experts, and the Buildings Regulations Advisory Committee, which advises the government on changes to building regulation.

“This review will look at building regulations and fire safety to see what changes can be made for the future to make these more effective,” said Hackitt.

“I am keen to engage widely with industry and the public to inform the recommendations from the review. I want the recommendations to lead to any necessary improvements in the system being made.”