The Grenfell Report released last month provided a scathing observation of the wider construction industry. The report highlighted critical failings from government, testing and certification bodies, the manufactures, the architects, the contractors, the Local Authority and other stakeholders; failings which resulted in the tragic death of 72 people back in 2017.

The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, gave a speech in the House of Commons following the release of the inquiry, and promised of a profound shift in culture and behaviour:

 “There must also be much more radical action to stop something like this from ever happening again…We will ensure these homes are safe, secure, and built to the highest standards. 

Places of security, health and wellbeing that serve the needs of residents and their wider communities.

Because a safe and decent home is a human right and a basic expectation”

While the inquiry centred on fire safety and how the event occurred due to negligence in compliance with Building Regulations, approvals, and installations, it is crucial to recognise that the government’s future direction will be shaped by the recommendations of a single construction regulator and a Government Minister.

Elmhurst believes this serves as a stark warning to all with competency in Energy Assessment, Airtightness Testing, Measurements, Retrofitting etc, emphasising the need to uphold best practices to effectively fulfil their responsibilities in assessing and reporting energy performance in UK buildings.

Energy Assessments already under scrutiny

In June, the consumer advocacy group, Which?, conducted a mystery shopper exercise in collaboration with a dozen homeowners across the country. As part of this investigation, they randomly contacted Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) to provide Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessments.  The investigation produced mixed results, with the accuracy of the assessments, and the resulting EPCs, called into question. Whilst this particular investigation may focus on domestic EPCs, the scrutiny of why a building may not perform the way it should has never been more keenly observed by owners, occupiers, wider media and a vast array of other stakeholders.

Elmhurst’s Managing Director, Stuart Fairlie comments: “The recent Which? investigation highlights a significant shift in the industry, with growing interest in the energy performance of buildings from the general public, media, and other stakeholders. This heightened attention brings increased scrutiny and we will likely see more of this as we move through the next decade. Particularly as we see an intensified effort to construct better homes and commercial buildings, as well as retrofit millions of older, less efficient structures..

Therefore, it is crucial for all energy professionals to act in the best interests at all times, safeguarding themselves against potential challenges to their assessments.

This can be achieved by collecting comprehensive data, maintaining a robust complaints process, regularly updating competencies, and, most importantly, always adhering to ‘doing the right thing’ – a message which is evident within the Prime Minister’s response to the Grenfell Inquiry.”

The Importance of CPD and Ongoing Competence

The Grenfell report casts a glaring spotlight on the need for professionals across various sectors to stay updated, competent, and accountable. A recent opinion piece in The Guardian argues that CPD is not just a box-ticking exercise but a life-saving necessity.

CPD ensures that professionals are continually improving their skills and knowledge to meet the ever-changing demands of their industries. In the property and energy assessment sectors, keeping up with new regulations, best practices, and safety standards is vital yet, despite its importance, CPD often remains undervalued. The tragic lessons from Grenfell serve as a reminder that staying informed and competent can mean the difference between life and death.

The UK Government has taken this lesson to heart, embedding CPD as a key area of focus in its EPC Action Plan for instance. This move underscores the critical role of CPD in the property assessment industry. As part of the national EPC framework, the introduction of mandatory CPD requirements is a step toward ensuring that assessors are both competent and accountable. It is essential that energy assessors remain at the forefront of industry developments to provide accurate and reliable energy assessments. This focus will clearly shift to all energy assessment professionals whether it be air tightness testing, performing measured energy performance, retrofitting buildings or any other form of assessment or measurements.

It’s no longer about ticking boxes and giving numbers

The role of energy assessment professionals now goes beyond just simple data collection, measurement and ticking boxes. As custodians of public trust, their assessments and results can influence property values, energy upgrades, and even whether a property can be legally let (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards). Therefore, maintaining quality and competency isn’t just a professional requirement; it’s an ethical one. All must understand their responsibilities and be diligent in doing the right thing, not just meeting the minimum standard.

The Grenfell report is a sobering reminder of the catastrophic consequences that can arise when professionals fall behind on their duties. To avoid future tragedies, all within the industry must commit to continuous learning, improvement, and the delivery of high-quality work.

Stuart Fairlie continues “When the time comes to show that a competent person undertook a test or assessment correctly, having all the records and evidence that defends the decisions taken on that day has never been more important. Elmhurst proudly stands behind our members who do the right thing, sometimes telling clients what they may not want to hear, for example that the buildings may need upgrades in order to rent out legally, or that the air test is not the ‘number’ they want.

It is important that competent individuals remember that when a certificate or result is issued, it will be their name on it, which means that they are the ones ultimately responsible should anyone ask questions. Elmhurst always advocate for good practice and ensure that the best standards exist to protect our members.

The recommendations from the report are guidance to the new Government, and I am sure that they will act on all of them. All people who work and live in our UK buildings deserve the correct information used in any assessments or tests.”