The issues with Large Panel System (LPS) buildings are longstanding and well known. Building owners are responsible for managing safety and performance risks in their buildings, in a proportionate, risk- based and evidence-based way. We have made it clear they are therefore responsible for any maintenance or remedial works required on their LPS buildings, including any strengthening works or removal of mains gas supply. Guidance has long been made available to support building owners in taking the right steps and measures to mitigate risks in their LPS buildings. This includes the British Research Establishment Report: Handbook for the structural assessment of large panel system (LPS) dwelling blocks for accidental loading (BR 511)

Local authorities are responsible for managing their budgets to fulfil their duties. This includes keeping the housing conditions in their area under review with a view to identifying any actions that may need to be taken by them. Where remediation or maintenance works are required in LPS buildings, or any other issues, local authorities should do so within their budgets.

The issues with Large Panel System (LPS) buildings are longstanding and well known. When the Ronan Point tower block collapsed in 1968, following a gas explosion, it became clear that tower blocks erected in the 1960s and 1970s using a system of large pre-cast concrete panels were more vulnerable to collapse than other structures. A programme of remediation was put in place to strengthen these buildings and reduce the risk. In 2017 the Department for Communities and Local Government wrote to all local authorities and housing associations to raise awareness and to outline actions in relation to LPS buildings, advising them to seek expert advice and pointing them in the direction of the existing guidance on managing these buildings. Specifically local authorities were asked to check that buildings were structurally sound and could carry gas safely. Some buildings had gas supplies removed to mitigate the risk.

Responsibility for the safety and maintenance of large panel system blocks lies with the building owners, including local authorities where they are the owners. Local authorities are also responsible for keeping the housing conditions in their area under review (including structural safety) with a view to identifying any action that may need to be taken by them.

This system requires the accountable person for a building to take all reasonable steps to ensure they have effective and proportionate measures in place to manage building safety risks and that the appropriate level of protection is provided in these buildings.

All building owners should continue to fulfil their duties to manage safety risks of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, and taking action where they deem necessary.

In addition, and since April, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep under review the safety and standards of all buildings. The BSR is implementing a new safety case regime which all occupied ‘higher-risk buildings’, including all blocks of flats more than 18m, will be subject to. Under this new regime, accountable persons are now required to register with the regulator and provide information about their building, including structural characteristics. They will also need to demonstrate to the Regulator how they are managing building safety risks related to the spread of fire and structural failure, on an ongoing basis. This data will provide the regulator with more information about the prevalence and current condition of LPS buildings.

The issues with Large Panel System (LPS) buildings are longstanding and well known. When the Ronan Point tower block collapsed in 1968, following a gas explosion, it became clear that tower blocks erected in the 1960s and 1970s using a system of large pre-cast concrete panels were more vulnerable to collapse than other structures. A programme of remediation was put in place to strengthen these buildings and reduce the risk. In 2017 the Department for Communities and Local Government wrote to all local authorities and housing associations to raise awareness and to outline actions in relation to LPS buildings, advising them to seek expert advice and pointing them in the direction of the existing guidance on managing these buildings. Specifically local authorities were asked to check that buildings were structurally sound and could carry gas safely. Some buildings had gas supplies removed to mitigate the risk.

Responsibility for the safety and maintenance of large panel system blocks lies with the building owners, including local authorities where they are the owners. Local authorities are also responsible for keeping the housing conditions in their area under review (including structural safety) with a view to identifying any action that may need to be taken by them.

This system requires the accountable person for a building to take all reasonable steps to ensure they have effective and proportionate measures in place to manage building safety risks and that the appropriate level of protection is provided in these buildings.

All building owners should continue to fulfil their duties to manage safety risks of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, and taking action where they deem necessary.

In addition, and since April, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep under review the safety and standards of all buildings. The BSR is implementing a new safety case regime which all occupied ‘higher-risk buildings’, including all blocks of flats more than 18m, will be subject to. Under this new regime, accountable persons are now required to register with the regulator and provide information about their building, including structural characteristics. They will also need to demonstrate to the Regulator how they are managing building safety risks related to the spread of fire and structural failure, on an ongoing basis. This data will provide the regulator with more information about the prevalence and current condition of LPS buildings.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) have completed an initial review of their guidance on the assessment of the structural safety of large panel systems buildings and concluded that the guidance remains relevant and does not require an update at this stage - they will be keeping the situation under review. We do not hold any documentation pertaining to their decision.

Building owners are responsible for the safety of their properties. We have written to councils and housing associations to advise them to check the structural safety of buildings which use large panel systems (LPS). If safety checks show that work is necessary, we expect building owners to manage these works and, if needed, ensure people are rehoused.

To assist buildings owners, on the advice of the Independent Expert Advisory Panel and the Standing Committee on Structural Safety, my department commissioned the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to review its risk assessment guidance on the structural safety of LPS buildings, which they have done, and we have established a forum of LPS building owners to disseminate information and good practice.

The Department wrote to local authorities last year drawing their attention to safety issues which had been identified in respect of large panel system buildings. Work is underway to review and revise the guidance in the Handbook for the Structural Assessment of Large Panel System (LPS) Dwelling Blocks for accidental loading (BR 511), to help local authorities and housing associations assess any risks to large panel system dwelling blocks and whether remedial action may be needed.

The Department’s letter of 5 September recommended that local authorities and housing associations check their records for whether strengthening work had been undertaken and/or to undertake surveys of any large panel system buildings which they own.

The letter referred building owners to a number of reports available to be helpful in understanding how to assess large panel system buildings, including the Handbook for the structural assessment of large panel system dwelling blocks or accidental loading, which was published by the Building Research Establishment in 2012.

The Department has commissioned the Building Research Establishment to review and update as the Handbook.

The Department’s letter of 5 September recommended that local authorities and housing associations check their records for whether strengthening work had been undertaken and/or to undertake surveys of any large panel system buildings which they own.

The letter referred building owners to a number of reports available to be helpful in understanding how to assess large panel system buildings, including the Handbook for the structural assessment of large panel system dwelling blocks or accidental loading, which was published by the Building Research Establishment in 2012.

The Department has commissioned the Building Research Establishment to review and update as the Handbook.