The investigation into fire risk in tall and timber frame buildings was prompted by a number of recent incidents in London on timber frame construction sites and a fatal blaze in a concrete-panel high rise last summer.

The hearing involved Assembly members quizzing an expert panel, including UK Timber Frame Association chairman Geoff Arnold.

Assembly member Andrew Boff  asked whether planning rules should be changed in the city to prevent multi-storey timber frame blocks being built in “densely populated areas” due to fire risk during construction.

But Local Authority Building Control chief executive Paul Everall questioned this approach.

“Do we want to deprive certain parts of London of such an energy-efficient form of construction, or is it preferable to address fire safety issues through better building control and improving construction methodology, as the UKTFA is doing?” he said.

Mr Arnold highlighted the roll out of the UKTFA’s Site Safe fire safety code of practice for timber frame constructon sites.

“We’re also looking at compartmentalisation of sites to reduce fire risk and use  of sprinklers in the construction phase,” he said.

He told T&SB he was satisfied with the constructive focus of the meeting on raising standards.

“We want to work with the Assembly on this,” he said. “And as an organisation we are becoming more proscriptive on fire safety, for instance we will be laying down the type of fire stops members use.”

Mr Everall said that more education on fire safety was required in all modern methods of construction (MMC) and London Fire Brigade commissioner Ron Dobson added that fire fighters needed more information on which methods were used in new buildings in their area.

Ms Jones told T&SB she was “a great fan of timber frame”, but that  there were “natural concerns” about fire safety following recent incidents. However, she said the hearing had taken a “positive, optimistic” approach, with the emphasis on improving building standards and control rather than curbing timber frame or high rise.

She said the investigation’s final report was unlikely to be produced before the general election.

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