Building Safety

Florida Enacts Safety Design Standards Requirement for Office Surgery Suites (H1175)

Florida has enacted House Bill 1175, effective 1 July 2026, directing the Florida Building Commission and State Fire Marshal to establish safety design standards for office surgery suites by 1 January 2027. This will drive new building and fire code requirements for office-based surgical facilities in Florida, so providers and facility designers should anticipate potential design, retrofit, and approval impacts over the next year.

24 May 2026, 21:26flsenate.govUnited States

New Hampshire Legislature Adopts HB 1555 on State Fire Code Appeals and Enforcement

In May 2026, the New Hampshire legislature aligned on HB 1555, a bill giving the state fire marshal clearer authority over appeals of local fire decisions and over project-specific modifications to the state building code, with changes scheduled to take effect in July 2027. These reforms centralise fire and building code oversight at state level, likely increasing scrutiny of complex projects and requiring municipalities, developers, and facility operators to adapt their permitting, design and appeals practices ahead of the new regime.

24 May 2026, 21:16gc.nh.govUnited States

Hong Kong Fire Services Department Extends ‘Operation Outpost’ And Shortens Fire Alarm Compliance Deadlines

Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department has used “Operation Outpost” inspections to uncover widespread defects in fire alarm systems, halving compliance periods for fire hazard abatement notices, initiating prosecutions at 75 buildings, and extending the operation for two more years to cover an additional 5,000 older residential and mixed-use buildings. This marks a clear tightening of fire safety enforcement for building owners, property managers and registered fire service installation contractors in Hong Kong, who now face faster remediation expectations, closer audits and a higher risk of prosecution if maintenance and annual checks are not carried out.

23 May 2026, 19:57news.rthk.hkHong Kong SAR China

European Parliament Hearing on Safe and Sustainable Construction Materials in EU Housing

The European Parliament is holding a June 2026 hearing on how construction materials and the revised Construction Products Regulation can support safer, more sustainable and affordable housing across the EU. This signals potential future EU measures affecting construction product rules, standards and access to materials for contractors and manufacturers, particularly SMEs, and is an early touchpoint for monitoring implementation of the new CPR framework.

23 May 2026, 09:10europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Louisiana House Adopts Resolution Urging Reduced Backflow Inspection Frequency

In May 2026 the Louisiana House adopted a concurrent resolution urging the state’s Uniform Construction Code Council and Department of Health to study easing how often backflow prevention devices in low‑hazard settings must be inspected and tested. This is an early, non-binding policy signal; any eventual amendments to the construction and sanitary codes could reduce compliance costs for building owners and water suppliers but will depend on future regulatory action.

22 May 2026, 19:01legis.la.govUnited States

Delaware SB 328 Proposes DOE Regulations for School Facility Evaluations and Explicit Lead Hazard Category

In May 2026, Delaware lawmakers introduced SB 328 to require the state Department of Education to set school facility evaluation standards by regulation and to explicitly treat lead hazards as part of the hazardous-materials category. If enacted, this would tighten oversight of lead risks in school buildings and create a binding 2027 deadline for the department to embed lead-based paint and lead hazards into its facilities assessment framework.

22 May 2026, 18:58legis.delaware.govUnited States

Slovakia: Government Regulation 98/2026 Amends Regulation 235/2015 on Placing Lifts and Safety Parts on the Market

In May 2026, Slovakia adopted Government Regulation 98/2026 to amend its 2015 rules on placing lifts and lift safety parts on the market. Companies manufacturing, importing, distributing, or installing lifts in Slovakia should review the amended Slovak text promptly to confirm any new obligations and plan required compliance adjustments.

22 May 2026, 18:53slov-lex.skSlovakia

Rhode Island Senate S2885: Consideration Scheduled For Asbestos Abatement And Radon Control Bill

Rhode Island’s Senate bill S2885, which would update asbestos abatement and radon control provisions, has been scheduled for Senate Health and Human Services Committee consideration on 21 May 2026. This keeps the proposal active, and building owners, employers, and remediation contractors in Rhode Island should track the hearing and prepare for possible changes to how asbestos and radon risks must be managed.

22 May 2026, 16:48webserver.rilegislature.govUnited States

Hong Kong Government Clarifies Visual Fire Alarm Support for Hearing-Impaired Residents

In May 2026 the Hong Kong Government used a Legislative Council written reply to clarify how existing building regulations, housing schemes and loan programmes support visual fire alarm systems for residents with hearing impairment, confirming there is currently no mandate for such alarms inside domestic units. This signals incremental progress focused on targeted support and future review of the Design Manual’s scope rather than immediate regulatory change, so building owners and housing providers should monitor potential extensions of visual alarm requirements but do not yet face new legal obligations.

21 May 2026, 08:54info.gov.hkHong Kong SAR China

South Carolina Enacts Hospital Hallway Bed Exception To Fire And Building Codes During Justified Emergencies

In May 2026, South Carolina enacted S0958 adding Section 44-7-255 to state health law, allowing hospitals to use patient beds in hallways, corridors and other egress routes during tightly defined emergencies under strict safety, documentation and reporting conditions. This creates a narrow fire and building code exception that supports surge capacity planning while preserving clear egress, life-safety systems and state health department oversight for hospital operators in South Carolina.

21 May 2026, 08:54scstatehouse.govUnited States

Louisiana House Schedules Floor Debate On Resolution To Study Backflow Inspection Frequency

Louisiana legislators have scheduled floor debate on House Concurrent Resolution 103, a non-binding measure directing the state construction code council and health department to study whether annual backflow prevention inspections can be reduced to less frequent intervals without undermining drinking water protection. If adopted, the resolution would signal potential future changes to Louisiana’s building and sanitary codes that could lower testing costs for low-hazard residential water connections while keeping cross-connection control and public health safeguards under review.

21 May 2026, 08:53legis.la.govUnited States

EU Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU — Consolidated Version With Emergency Procedures Applies From 30 May 2026

From 30 May 2026, the EU’s consolidated Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU, incorporating 2024 amendments on emergency procedures, will apply to lifts and safety components across the internal market. This establishes a new framework for fast-track conformity assessment and crisis derogations, so manufacturers, installers and notified bodies should align quality systems and contingency plans ahead of any future emergency activation.

21 May 2026, 06:54eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

European Parliament Questions Commission on Irish Non-Recognition of EU Certificates for MMC Cladding Products

An Irish MEP has asked the European Commission to address reports that Irish housing and building control authorities are refusing to recognise EU technical certificates for modern methods of construction cladding products issued by accredited bodies in other Member States. If the Commission finds this practice breaches the EU mutual recognition regulation, it could trigger enforcement steps against Ireland and clarify how innovative, sustainable construction products should be accepted across the single market.

20 May 2026, 19:56europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionIreland

UK Government Publishes May 2026 Grenfell Tower Inquiry Progress Report

In May 2026 the UK government published a cross‑departmental progress report on implementing Phase 2 and related Phase 1 recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, confirming the status of major reforms to higher‑risk building regulation, the construction products regime, fire and rescue services, emergency planning and support for vulnerable residents. The report does not itself introduce new obligations but signals a clear direction of travel—tightening fire safety guidance, overhauling construction product oversight, and moving towards licensing and mandatory accreditation for key professionals—so organisations should track forthcoming consultations and legislation to anticipate design, product and competence requirements.

20 May 2026, 19:24gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Act 2026

Scotland has enacted the Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Act 2026, creating a new tax on certain building control events for new residential units, with levy rates, reliefs and commencement to be set by future regulations. Developers and residential property groups operating in Scotland will face new registration, reporting and cost obligations to fund cladding and wider building safety remediation, so will need to factor this levy into project economics and compliance planning.

20 May 2026, 17:59legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

California Senate Advances SB1299 on Fire Suppression System Worker Certification

In May 2026, the California Senate advanced SB1299, a bill that would codify and strengthen State Fire Marshal certification, training and enforcement rules for people working on water- and chemical-based fire suppression systems. If enacted, the Act would require contractors and facility operators to rely on certified personnel, implement structured training and continuing-education programmes, and prepare for stronger inspections and stop-work enforcement around fire suppression installations.

20 May 2026, 17:53leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Türkiye Issues Light Steel Buildings Regulation With 2027 Entry Into Force

Türkiye’s environment and urbanisation ministry has adopted a new Light Steel Buildings Regulation, published in May 2026 and set to apply from 1 January 2027. Companies designing or constructing light steel buildings in Türkiye will need to update designs, materials and fire and corrosion strategies to comply with the new technical standards ahead of the 2027 start date.

20 May 2026, 06:07csb.gov.trTürkiye

Scottish Government Updates Cladding Remediation Programme Factsheet and SBA Provider List

In May 2026 the Scottish Government updated its cladding remediation programme factsheet, adding a new authorised single-building assessment provider and clarifying which multi-residential buildings in Scotland are in scope. Developers, social landlords and factors responsible for 11 m+ flatted buildings constructed between 1992 and 2022 should align assessment and remediation plans with the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 framework, using authorised SBA providers and available public funding routes.

19 May 2026, 21:08gov.scotUnited Kingdom

Rhode Island Senate Bill S3301 – Proposed Emergency Declarations for Temporary SAFE Units

Rhode Island legislators have introduced Senate Bill S3301 to let municipalities declare emergencies that temporarily allow the use of SAFE Units built under specialised requirements with exemptions from certain state fire and building code provisions. If enacted, this could change emergency housing and temporary facility planning by giving local governments and operators new options that trade standard code compliance for alternative safety rules during defined emergency periods.

19 May 2026, 21:03legiscan.comUnited States

Wales Enacts Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026

The Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 has been enacted, creating a comprehensive statutory regime for higher-risk multi-occupancy residential buildings and certain houses in multiple occupation across Wales. As commencement regulations phase in its provisions, owners, landlords and managing agents will need to reassess responsibilities, funding models and remediation plans against new accountable-person duties, risk management requirements, enforcement powers and leaseholder cost protections.

18 May 2026, 13:22legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom