Resident engagement fundamental to new Code of Practice for Remediation of Residential Buildings

Proper consideration of residents’ needs is the top priority of the government’s Code of Practice for the Remediation of Residential Buildings published in late July, as Ron Alalouff reports.

The code of practice concerns the remediation of buildings and focuses on work that is needed to mitigate fire safety risks caused by external wall systems, as this type of work can have a significant impact on residents’ homes and lives. The code applies whether a building is fully or partly occupied, or temporarily unoccupied.

The code states that projects should set out clearly defined and recorded roles and responsibilities for parties who are in any way responsible for the safety, management, assessment, design or construction of a residential building, and/or have a duty in relation to the remediation project and work.

As the code states: “The management of buildings and remediation projects is a complex undertaking. The roles and responsibilities involved should be clearly identified and understood to improve communication, efficiency, accountability and execution.”

Residents’ experiences

The code’s provisions for undertaking remediation flow from the fundamental principle that residents’ experiences should inform every decision made as part of a remediation project. The code’s provisions include the requirements that:

• Residents should receive regular, up-to-date, communications about the project, with meaningful engagement throughout
• Reasonable steps are taken to identify and understand the diverse needs of residents, so that those responsible can work with them to consider appropriate mitigations
• Residents are given the opportunity to be engaged in making decisions when it is appropriate and possible to do so, and are able to meet those with a significant role in the project before work commences
• Those involved in projects should make sure that communication methods are appropriate and consider the identified needs of residents, including that it is clear to residents how they can ask questions, raise issues and make complaints

Under the section “Living with remediation”, every effort should be taken to minimise the effects of remediation on the lives of residents, where it is reasonable and proportionate to do so.

Requirements include that residents are appropriately included as part of the design and delivery of the project – including where changes are to be made – and that “appropriate and reasonable” steps are taken to identify, assess and manage the impacts of the project on residents.

This means that for any activity that affects residents, the following is considered and appropriate action taken:

• Informing residents of the likely impact of work before it starts, as well as the steps taken to reduce it
• Engaging residents about any preferences or choices about mitigation
• The phasing and execution of activity ­– such as limiting disruptive work and intrusive mitigations to the shortest possible duration and the smallest physical coverage
• Keeping the effect of activities under review
• Any feedback from residents and other parties
• Any specific needs of residents with a vulnerability, disability and/or condition which may exacerbate the impact of an activity
• Ensuring that workers are appropriately trained – including in how activities affect residents – and in the importance of sensitive and considerate conduct when working on or near people’s homes

Other requirements in this section include ensuring that reasonable steps are taken

to reduce the impact of particularly noisy activities, avoid reducing natural light and/or ventilation wherever possible, and reduce the impact of any work requiring access to residents’ homes and common facilities.

Reasonable steps should also be taken to ensure the safety and security of the building and its residents, such that:

• Work is always appropriately designed and delivered to meet and health and safety requirements
• Fire exits remain unobstructed, or if temporarily obstructed that mitigations are put in place and communicated to residents
• Fire risk assessments are kept up to date with appropriate mitigations, in particular for the fire strategy, throughout the remedial work and at its completion

Reasonable steps must also be taken to reduce disruption to the lives of any residents required to leave their homes temporarily during remedial works.

Compliance with the code

The guidance concludes by reiterating that those involved in remediation projects should ensure they are able to demonstrate compliance with the code, and that they consider having clear and robust contracting and working arrangements in place, so that those working on the project understand their responsibility to residents and that where issues arise, they can be effectively handled.

They should also consider: gathering feedback from residents on their experiences, addressing any issues and highlighting good practice; carrying out periodic reviews, including visiting the building and implementing any improvements; sharing feedback and outcomes of reviews with residents; and recording the steps taken to comply with the code and any issues with compliance.

Read the Code of Practice for the Remediation of Residential Buildings.

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