The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has called for further building safety reforms, urging the Government to continue modernising the guidance that underpins fire safety standards in England.
The organisation said parts of the current guidance have not kept pace with modern construction methods, changing building use or the needs of an ageing and increasingly diverse population.
Consultation proposals welcomed
NFCC welcomed several measures included in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s consultation on proposed changes to Approved Document B, which provides statutory guidance supporting the fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations.
The council said proposals to improve clarity and strengthen fire safety standards represent progress, particularly the introduction of guidance on evacuation lifts.
However, NFCC believes the consultation does not go far enough to deliver the wider reforms needed to ensure buildings are designed around the needs of occupants and enable everyone to reach a place of safety without external assistance.
Calls for further reform
In its response to the consultation, NFCC urged the Government to use the review as part of a wider programme of reform following the Grenfell Tower fire and Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
The council is calling for wider provision of evacuation lifts based on occupants’ needs rather than building height, increased use of sprinkler systems in specialised housing with and without care provision, and a further review of fire safety requirements for car parks, including the risks associated with electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
NFCC also wants greater clarity, research and testing relating to modern methods of construction and combustible structural materials, alongside completion of the wider Approved Document B review programme announced following the 2018 Independent Review.
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.”
