The leading architectural institutes from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland have announced a new cross-jurisdictional alliance to strengthen fire and life safety in building design.
Formed in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, the alliance—named The Belfast Group—includes the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA), the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW), and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI).
The Belfast Group’s mission is to harmonise fire safety design guidance across the five jurisdictions and ensure that architects, regardless of location, are equipped with the same high standards and core competencies in fire and life safety design.
The initiative will not only target professional standards for architects but also aims to provide standardised fire safety guidance for other construction professionals. By improving access to key regulations, technical documents, and Best Practice frameworks, the group hopes to promote better-informed decisions in both procurement and project resourcing.
In a joint statement, the five institute presidents—Muyiwa Oki (RIBA), John Lavery (RSUA), Karen Anderson (RIAS), Dan Benham (RSAW), and Sean Mahon (RIAI)—emphasised that the move reflects a shared responsibility to elevate safety standards industry-wide.
“The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report makes clear that more is required to ensure our buildings are as safe as possible,” the statement read. “While each jurisdiction has its own regulatory framework, there are core competencies when it comes to designing for life safety that transcend political boundaries and project typologies.”
The Belfast Group will focus on sharing knowledge, aligning training standards, and advising governments to ensure that architects and clients alike prioritise safety throughout the design and construction process.
