The past presidents of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) are to investigate the issue of build quality in the construction industry in light of the defects that led to the closure of 17 schools in Edinburgh earlier this year and subsequent events.

The investigation was prompted by the Cole Report that was published in February in the wake of a wall failure at Oxgangs Primary School in January 2016.

However, it is has taken on a new significance with more recent events, with police investigations into what role Grenfell Tower’s cladding played in the fire in West London which has killed at least 79 people.

The Commission will consider what steps the CIOB needs to take to address the already identified issues around management and supervision, the importance for the UK’s education framework, and whether there are further steps the industry can take to contribute to improving build quality.

Immediate CIOB Past President Paul Nash, who will chair the Commission, said: “The recent tragic events at Grenfell Tower have further underlined the need for an urgent review of the way in which quality is managed in our industry. Whilst aspects of the public inquiry must necessarily focus on the issues of regulation and inspection, I think we have to look beyond this at the behaviours that have led to a lack of focus on quality at all stages of the build process, from design and procurement through to construction and re-fit.

“The CIOB has a duty to respond to this issue, acting in the public interest. As professionals we have a duty to the industry and wider society to act responsibly and ethically. This defines what it means to be a professional. And we all have a responsibility for the reputation of our industry and, most importantly, the wellbeing of those who use the buildings that we create.”

A workshop at CIOB’s Members’ Forum, being held in Cardiff today, will see high-level industry input into the Commission’s work, focusing on understanding the problems and identifying potential solutions.