Abstract
The recent Grenfell tower fire disaster in 2017 and Hackitt Review heightened the need to address the issues of fire safety regulations. However, increasing pressure to reduce building costs and to complete construction projects on time remains a major challenge. This study examines the cost of fire in high rise building projects and the implications for the professional development of quantity surveyors (QS). The methodology adopted is a case study approach drawing on the recent experience of the Grenfell tower fire disaster of 2017, an analysis of data collected on fire provision in high rise buildings using the BCIS database and a review of the RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM). Given the significant cost of fire in high rise buildings, there is a need for adequate provision in fire protection by investing in costs in anticipation of fire during cost planning stages to significantly reduce the costs associated with the consequence and responses after a fire incident estimated to be extremely high in the case of Grenfell. The QS need to move away from ad hoc approaches adopted in pricing items specific to fire protection as part of a team of professionals and developing the required competencies will significantly reduce the risk of not pricing adequately for fire provision in the cost plan.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 21 Nov 2018 |
| Event | International Conference on Professionalism and Ethics in Construction 2018 - London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom Duration: 21 Nov 2018 → 22 Nov 2018 |
Conference
| Conference | International Conference on Professionalism and Ethics in Construction 2018 |
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| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | London |
| Period | 21/11/18 → 22/11/18 |
| Other | The aim of the conference was to provide an opportunity for prospective authors to review knowledge on professionalism and ethics and how it relates to the construction process and practices in different countries, with the view to making proposals of actions which can be taken to improve the situation. The objectives of the conference were to: 1. review the state of the construction professions in different countries, and the implications of this state of affairs 2. consider the importance of ethics in construction, current state of adherence to ethics in countries and implications of the present situation 3. discuss what can be done to develop the professions and practitioners to enhance professionalism, ethics, and the industry’s image. |