Industry figures say that the minimum acceptable standards needed to be made clearer
Those who flout fire safety regulations should be put in prison, a 黑洞社区 round table discussion has been told.
Steve Cooper, director of fire engineering consultancy Tenos, said: 鈥淭he industry can be trusted to self-regulate provided there are sanctions 鈥� if you鈥檝e made a mistake, you go to prison.
鈥淎t the moment, people cut corners and buildings are not fit for purpose, but nobody is taken to task. If criminal sanctions and fines are involved, they will take notice.鈥�
The round table, on the implication of this May鈥檚 Hackitt report into fire safety and building regulations, also heard that the minimum acceptable standards needed to be made clearer.
Stephanie Canham, national head of projects and construction at law firm Trowers & Hamlins, said: 鈥淟egislation is the only way to create certainty about what needs to be done.鈥�
And Steve Douglas, co-chief executive of social housing consultant Altair and former chief executive of the Housing Corporation, said government needed to spell out what regulations were acceptable.
He added: 鈥淚f it鈥檚 a requirement, it becomes a level playing field and everyone has to do it.鈥�
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