The Hackitt Report: A Turning Point for Building Safety

The Hackitt Report: A Turning Point for Building Safety

June 14th 2026, marks nine years since the devastating Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives. It is also expected to be the final anniversary where any physical remains of the Grenfell Tower structure will still be in place before its deconstruction.

As the industry, government and communities continue to reflect on the tragedy and its lasting impact, Grenfell remains a defining moment in the history of UK building safety. The disaster exposed deep systemic failures across the construction and fire safety sectors, raising urgent questions about regulation, accountability, product information, competence and resident protection.

In response, the government commissioned Dame Judith Hackitt to undertake an independent review of building regulations and fire safety. Her final report, Building a Safer Future, published in May 2018, called for a complete cultural and regulatory transformation across the built environment. 

Nearly a decade later, the outcomes of the Hackitt Report continue to shape the construction industry, particularly in relation to fire safety products, digital information management, and accountability frameworks. 

Why the Industry Must Change

The report identified what Hackitt described as a “race to the bottom” culture within the construction industry, where compliance was often treated as a minimum requirement rather than a core responsibility.

The report highlighted several critical failings:

• Unclear roles and responsibilities throughout the supply chain
• Poor oversight of construction products and testing data
• Weak competency standards across the sector
• Inadequate record keeping and information management
• Limited accountability for design and specification changes
• A lack of resident engagement and transparency

Hackitt made 53 recommendations designed to overhaul the entire system. These recommendations later informed the Building Safety Act 2022 and the creation of the Building Safety Regulator.

A major theme throughout the review was the need for trustworthy information. The report recognised that inaccurate product claims, fragmented documentation and missing building records created unacceptable risks for residents and building managers.

Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI)

Why the CCPI Was Needed

The inquiry revealed examples where product marketing materials, technical literature and certification data were potentially misleading, inconsistent or difficult to interpret. In some cases, products were used in applications beyond the scope of their testing or certification.

Hackitt argued that the industry needed a clearer ethical framework governing how manufacturers communicate product performance and compliance.

This led to the development of the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), launched by the Construction Products Association.

The CCPI was created to restore trust in product information and improve the quality, transparency and accountability of construction product marketing.

What Is the CCPI?

The CCPI is a voluntary code designed to ensure that construction product information is:

• Clear
• Accurate
• Up-to-date
• Accessible
• Unambiguous
• Supported by evidence

The CCPI also encourages organisations to establish internal governance procedures to ensure product information remains reliable throughout the product lifecycle.

The Impact of the CCPI on Fire Safety Products

The fire safety sector has undergone substantial scrutiny since Grenfell, particularly around cladding systems, insulation products, cavity barriers, fire stopping systems and passive fire protection.

The CCPI has pushed manufacturers to improve how they present:

• Fire test evidence
• Classification reports
• Installation requirements
• Product limitations
• Maintenance guidance
• Scope of application

This has helped specifiers, clients and installers make more informed decisions.

Find out more about CCPI here.

The Importance of Product Training for Specifiers and Installers

One of the strongest themes throughout Dame Judith Hackitt’s report was the issue of competence.

The review concluded that too many critical decisions within the construction process were being made by individuals without sufficient understanding of the products, systems and fire safety implications involved.

This was particularly significant for fire safety products, where incorrect specification or installation can seriously compromise the performance of an entire fire strategy.

Hackitt argued that compliance could no longer rely solely on paperwork or product certification. The industry needed a more competent workforce capable of understanding how products should be correctly selected, installed and maintained.

Correct Specification

Even the highest-performing fire safety product can fail if it is incorrectly specified.

Specifiers must understand:

• Product limitations
• Tested applications
• Compatibility with surrounding systems
• Fire classification requirements
• Regulatory obligations
• Installation tolerances

The post-Grenfell environment has placed much greater responsibility on architects, consultants and designers to ensure that products are suitable for their intended use.

Manufacturers are increasingly expected to support this through technical education, CPD programmes and clearer product guidance.

Installation Quality

Fire stopping systems, cavity barriers, fire doors and passive fire protection products all rely heavily on correct installation.

Small deviations from manufacturer instructions can significantly reduce fire performance.

As a result, competency-based installer training has become a major focus across the sector.

Many manufacturers now provide:

• Accredited installer schemes
• Hands-on installation training
• Product-specific competency assessments
• Digital installation guidance
• Ongoing technical support

This reflects a growing recognition that product performance depends not only on testing and certification, but also on the competency of the people installing the systems.

SKEB and Competency in Building Safety

The introduction of SKEB — Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours — has become a key part of the industry’s approach to competency following the Hackitt Review and the Building Safety Act 2022.

Historically, competence was often measured through skills, knowledge, and Experience alone. However, the addition of Behaviours reflects a growing recognition that building safety also depends on professional responsibility, communication and a willingness to challenge poor practice when necessary.

Together, the four pillars represent:

• Skills — the practical ability to carry out tasks safely and correctly 
• Knowledge — understanding regulations, product performance and fire safety principles 
• Experience — applying learning in real-world construction environments 
• Behaviours — demonstrating professionalism, accountability and a safety-first mindset 

For fire safety products, SKEB reinforces the importance of ensuring installers, specifiers, and contractors are not only trained, but competent in applying products correctly and understanding their limitations within the wider fire strategy of a building.

Reducing Risk Across the Supply Chain

Training also plays a critical role in reducing misinformation and improving accountability.

When specifiers, contractors and installers fully understand product limitations and compliance requirements, there is less risk of:

• Incorrect substitutions
• Non-compliant installations
• Misinterpretation of certification
• Inappropriate value engineering decisions
• Poor maintenance practices

This aligns closely with the objectives of the CCPI, which aims to ensure product information is not only accurate but also properly understood by those using it.

Supporting Safer Construction Through Transparency, Testing and Training

Transparency and integrity are central to everything we do at Fire & Acoustic Seals – from the materials we use to the certifications we pursue. We take our responsibility as a manufacturer of fire safety critical products extremely seriously, continuing to invest in product testing, clear technical communication and industry training to support safer construction practices.

CCPI Assessed Status

Achieving CCPI-assessed status for FAS Fire Door Foam™, Intumescent Acrylic Sealant, and Silicone Sealant reflects our commitment to transparent, evidence-based product information. The assessment confirms these products are supported by recognised test evidence, helping provide specifiers, contractors and clients with greater confidence when selecting and specifying products.

The CCPI assessment process also reviewed the competency and training of our team responsible for creating and communicating product information, reinforcing the importance of accuracy, clarity and accountability.

Training & Competency

Installers

We provide online training designed to equip installers with the knowledge required to correctly apply FAS Fire Door Foam™ and FAS Fire Door Intumescent Acrylic Sealant.

Developed to support fire door compliance, the training covers installation best practice, product limitations and relevant regulatory requirements. Upon successful completion, participants receive a GQA certificate and CPD point, demonstrating their commitment to competency and industry standards.

We also regularly visit client projects to deliver Toolbox Talks and practical guidance to site teams.

Specifiers

To support the professional development of architects and specifiers, we have developed a RIBA-approved CPD titled The Importance of Sealing the Linear Gap Around Fire Doorsets.

This CPD explores the role of sealing systems in passive fire protection, highlighting compliant product solutions and the importance of correct specification. Upon completion, participants receive a CPD point supporting their ongoing professional development.

Customers and Distribution Partners

We actively support customers, distributors and resellers to ensure products are understood, correctly promoted and used within their tested parameters. We also help customers access the latest technical documentation and product information to support compliance and best practice.

For more information on our training courses and technical support, visit our Training Hub here. 

Looking Ahead

At Fire & Acoustic Seals, we recognise that improving building safety products is an ongoing responsibility, not a one-time achievement. As the industry continues to evolve in response to the Hackitt Review and wider regulatory reform, we remain committed to continuous improvement across product testing, certification, technical support, training and transparent product information.

By investing in competency, evidence-based product performance and responsible communication, we aim to support safer specification, installation and compliance across the construction industry — helping to build greater confidence in passive fire protection for the future.

View the Dame Judith Hackett Building a Safer Future report here