Large panel systems

Author: Various

Date published

N/A

Price
Members: £45 + VAT
Standard: £70 + VAT
The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers
Back to Previous

Large panel systems

Tag
Author
Date published
Price
Training
Author

Various

Date published

N/A

Author

Various

Price

Members: £45 + VAT
Standard: £70 + VAT

Learn how to assess and strengthen large panel systems for safer, compliant structures.

An estimated 575 tower blocks built in the mid-to-late 1960s using pre-cast concrete floor and roof components still exist today. High-rise residential Large Panel System (LPS) buildings—those over 18m (seven storeys or more)—must undergo structural assessments in line with the new Building Safety Act (BSA).

 
While the responsibility to manage LPS risks is not new, recent legislation mandates that all reasonable steps be taken to mitigate fire and structural risks. Key concerns include wind loading, connection effectiveness, robustness, disproportionate collapse, and fire resistance. However, inconsistencies in past assessments, maintenance, and remediation have heightened these risks.
 
This on-demand webinar will provide case studies on historical defects in LPS buildings, the assessment process, and practical risk management strategies to ensure compliance and safety

Reasons to watch

  • Understand what an LPS system is and how to identify it.

  • Recognise known structural and fire safety issues in LPS.

  • Learn best practices for assessing, managing structural risk, and strengthening LPS structure.

Speaker

Andrew Lawrence

Andrew is a Director at Arup and Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Cambridge University, he represents the UK at European level in the development of regulations for both timber and existing structures. 

Andrew is also a member of the UK Government Building Advisory Committee where he leads the Working Group on New & Emerging Risks and Incidents.

He is committed to helping improve the safety and sustainability of construction, lectures worldwide, is regularly called on to provide expert comment in the media and has acted as technical expert in both litigation and mediation.

Speaker

Gavin McLachlan

Gavin is an Associate a Conisbee. He works largely on existing buildings including Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the Victoria Palace Theatre. He became a Chartered Member of the Institution of Structural Engineers in 2019.

Whilst working on the London Borough of Newham’s Higher Risk Buildings, Gavin was an early user of the Institution’s new guidelines on providing safety case reports.

He also co-authored the Institution’s ‘Assessment of Higher-Risk Buildings under the Building Safety Act: A Compendium of Structural Typologies’ publication, providing insight into Large Panel System construction

Related Resources & Events

Regional
A photograph of open umbrellas next to a red telephone box in London

Extreme weather - guided walk led by Lester Hillman

A guided walk of London's greatest ever downpour.

Date – 17 October 2026
Location – Golders Hill Park North End Way London NW3 7HE
Price – Free
Course
A construction site revealing a concrete structure and scaffolding against bright sun is shown.

Eurocode 2: design of concrete structures - November 2026

This course covers the design of common structural elements to Eurocode 2. Participants will be introduced to concrete material properties and learn about designing for durability and fire.

Date – 17 November 2026
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
A technical drawing with pencils and papers rolls on top.

Advanced conceptual design for design team leaders

Through a series of interactive sessions this course helps experienced practitioners take their conceptual design skills to the next level.

Date – 1 October 2026
Location – Online
Price – £565 - £835 + VAT