To ensure a consistent global approach on a critical issue, RICS is one of a coalition of organisations that is working to establish International Fire Safety Standards.

If the profession is to uphold its own standards, enforcement is an essential responsibility, this is a key issue in this edition.

We review RICS policy initiatives since the Grenfell fire, including plans to develop an international standard on fire safety and a government-backed national register of fire risk assessors with other organisations.

The spotlight falls on defects discovered in 17 Scottish schools, which, as Michael Dignan points out, are a salutary reminder of building owners’ responsibility for ensuring regulatory compliance.

With an eye on the role of technology in the sector, building information modelling (BIM) features prominently in this issue.

The RICS pathways and competencies framework defines the knowledge, skills, experience and level of competence that are required to become a chartered surveyor.

The topics of security and diversity both feature prominently within this issue of the Building Control Journal.

The theme of this issue of the journal is fire – always a hot topic for building control.