Local Acts – which include fire safety provisions over and above those in the Building Regulations – are to be scrapped, the government has announced.
The confirmation came with the publication of a consultation which sets out the proposed changes to the Building Regulations for England. The aim of the proposals is to provide a ‘significant element’ of deregulation, while further improving the energy efficiency and safety aspects of the regulations.
Other fire safety changes involve technical amendments to the classifications of decorative wall linings and thermoplastic lighting diffusers.
There are also proposals for improving the building control process and strengthening enforcement of the regulations.
Introducing the consultation to the House of Commons on 31 January, communities minister Andrew Stunell said the measures as a whole will help reduce the regulatory cost for businesses and pave the way for zero carbon homes from 2016.
"The Coalition is committed to being the greenest government ever, so improving the energy efficiency of our existing buildings through the Green Deal and ensuring that all new homes are zero carbon by 2016 is a top priority.”
There are around 28 local Acts which contain fire safety provisions among a wide range of other measures dealing with such things as street trading and dog fouling.
"This will free-up businesses from the costs of fire protection requirements contained in some local Acts which apply inconsistently across the country," added Mr Stunell. "The decision has been taken in the light of previous consultation which found no evidence to justify maintaining requirements which go beyond the necessary protection already afforded nationally through the building regulations."
The deadline for responses to the main consultation is 27 April 2012, and the government aims to bring into force the main changes in 2013.
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