Grenfell blaze: how 20th-century buildings can be made safer

Architects and engineers can work to mitigate risk of fire, but it cannot be completely eliminated

Despite the horror of the fire at Grenfell Tower, UK regulations for tall buildings are ahead of the curve in comparison with other countries. There have been huge improvements in construction materials and technological solutions throughout the modern era.Testing and certification methods have become even more rigorous, to ensure the quality of new products.

Of course, many people are now asking what more could have been done to prevent the tragic loss of life in the Grenfell blaze. The truth is, while architects and engineers can work to mitigate the risk of fire, it cannot be completely eliminated.