Building safety reforms must go further to deliver safer, more inclusive buildings, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has said, as it urges Government to continue modernising the guidance that underpins fire safety standards in England’s buildings.
NFCC has consistently called for a modern, inclusive and accountable building safety system, warning that parts of the current guidance have not kept pace with modern construction methods, changes in building use, or the needs of a diverse and ageing population.
Reiterating the recommendations made in its Building Regulations and Guidance Position Statement last December, NFCC welcomed a number of measures set out in the recent Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on proposed changes to Approved Document B, the statutory guidance that supports fire safety requirements within the Building Regulations.
In its response to the consultation, a number of measures aimed at improving clarity and strengthening fire safety standards were welcomed by NFCC but they urge further reform to address longstanding issues identified in its Position Statement.
NFCC believes the consultation proposals represent progress in some areas, particularly through the introduction of guidance on evacuation lifts, an issue the organisation has consistently raised. However, it believes the changes fall short of the more fundamental reforms needed to ensure buildings are designed around the needs of occupants and support the Government’s ambition for everyone to reach a place of safety in an emergency without external assistance.
NFCC is urging the Government to use the consultation as part of a wider programme of reform that delivers on the broader ambitions for building safety established following the Grenfell Tower fire and Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
Alongside welcoming a number of the proposals, NFCC is calling for:
- Wider provision of evacuation lifts to support residents who are unable to use stairs and ensure everyone can reach a place of safety without external assistance. While the consultation proposes evacuation lifts in new residential buildings over 18 metres, NFCC believes safe evacuation should be based on people’s needs rather than the height of a building.
- Increased use of sprinklers in specialised housing, both with and without care provision.
- Further review of fire safety requirements for car parks, including consideration of sprinkler systems and the risks associated with modern vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure.
- Greater clarity, research and testing around the use of modern methods of construction and combustible structural materials.
- Completion of the wider Approved Document B review programme originally announced following the 2018 Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
NFCC’s Protection Lead, Dave Russel, said: “It is encouraging to see progress in a number of areas, particularly the introduction of guidance on evacuation lifts, something NFCC has been calling for over many years.
“But this is about more than individual changes to guidance. Last year, we set out a vision for a building safety system that reflects how people live today, supports those who may need help to evacuate, and keeps pace with modern buildings and modern risks.
“At its heart, this is about people. Buildings should be suitable for the people who live in them, rather than people having to be suitable for buildings. When someone needs to escape a fire, their safety should not depend on whether a building was designed with their needs in mind.
“The Grenfell Tower fire showed why we must put residents at the centre of every decision. We welcome the progress being made and look forward to working with Government and industry to ensure the wider programme of reform delivers safer, more inclusive buildings for everyone.”
