Please build standard compliant from now on

Arjen Koole - Director of trade association hardware

Mayor Halsema of Amsterdam was crystal clear a few weeks ago: she wants Minister Bruins Slot, the Interior Minister, to tighten fire safety requirements for container houses. This in response to a fire, last November in the capital. An apartment complex for status holders and young people went up in flames. Investigation showed that the fire could spread quickly due to the type of roof that had been used there. However, this type of roof met fire and safety requirements. Yet it was classified as a fire hazard by the fire department. Very disturbing!

Well, I have briefly updated you with the context on the way to the point I would like to make in this guest column: namely, it is not right that the current provisions for temporary construction allow construction below the quality level for new construction. We need to get rid of that "freedom. 

After all, it is rather bizarre, because we are making unprecedented concessions to security with this "freedom. And also to burglary resistance. What's more: by delivering homes below the standard, you invite the burglars' guild to make their move on those homes. Very strange. Therefore: how long will we allow ourselves to build below the standard in temporary construction with increasing risk of fire and burglary?

For me - from my role as director of the hardware trade association - this is difficult to digest. 

First, how can we still call a 15-year period "temporary"? Second, why are we in the construction chain creating these deliberate risks and are we really going to build more and faster as a result? And third, why are there still companies in the construction chain that knowingly saddle a delivered project with a risk?

About that last one: I get it. Of course it's about money. If you can deliver lower than the standard, then it will cost you - as a construction company - less money. You can bid with a lower rate at the tender. They are also not breaking the rules in that process because it is temporary housing, but isn't that precisely why it is high time to question the rules? 

In that sense, I heartily agree with Mayor Halsema: the rules should indeed be tightened.

How?

Well ... first, as an industry, let's just agree that we always - and I mean really: always and without exception! - conform to standards. So, that we all observe the minimum standard, even if we don't necessarily have to. You could even call it a form of corporate social responsibility! And, let's get rid of that 15-year period. Let's not put a time limit on it at all: the standard becomes the norm. We draw the same rules for permanent and temporary buildings.

The benefit to society? Greater residential enjoyment, less risk of fire and casualties, as well as a substantial decrease in the likelihood of burglary. That's a noble goal. You simply cannot disagree.