BESA urges action on building overheating amid record UK heatwave

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) is calling for urgent measures to address the growing threat of overheating in UK buildings, as the country faces its warmest summer on record.

With prolonged heatwaves becoming increasingly common, BESA warns that overheating now constitutes a critical safety issue. The Met Office has reported this summer as the sunniest and driest on record, with average temperatures remaining unusually high for 79 consecutive days. In London alone, researchers from Imperial College London recorded 263 excess deaths linked to heat in June.

Kevin Morrissey, BESA's technical director, said the persistent heat suggests a shift toward a long-term climate pattern, which necessitates adaptation in how buildings are designed and managed.

“This year seems to mark a move into much longer and more relentless periods of heat stress,” Morrissey stated. “We need a concerted effort to adapt our built environment.”

Recent research by Friends of the Earth (FoE) has identified nearly 5,000 neighbourhoods across England that are regularly experiencing heat stress. These areas, which cover roughly a third of the country, include over 1,000 hospitals, 10,000 nurseries, and a similar number of care homes, placing some of the most vulnerable populations at risk.

FoE estimates that by 2050, the UK could see more than 10,000 annual deaths linked to heat unless comprehensive climate adaptation plans are implemented. BESA argues that overheating should be formally integrated into the UK's building safety regulations. The association also highlights that while improved insulation is essential for energy efficiency and fire protection, it can inadvertently worsen indoor overheating by reducing air circulation.

“Overheating is the most overlooked building safety issue,” Morrissey said. “While insulation is vital, without adequate ventilation and cooling, it contributes to poor indoor air quality and increased humidity, compounding health risks.”

BESA supports expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to encourage adoption of heat pumps capable of both heating and cooling. Morrissey noted that cooling must become a core component of the UK’s decarbonisation strategy for buildings.

The association also flagged concerns about the growing demand for residential air conditioning. BESA, which oversees the REFCOM certification scheme for refrigeration and air conditioning professionals, cautioned that rapid market expansion could lead to substandard installations if not properly regulated.

“There is a risk that poorly trained installers could damage the sector and endanger public safety,” said Morrissey. “Proper qualifications and adherence to standards are crucial, especially when handling refrigerants and cooling systems.”

As the Building Safety Act continues to reshape industry practices by emphasising competence and compliance, BESA insists that cooling systems deserve the same level of scrutiny to ensure occupant safety in increasingly hot conditions.