Fire safety: Home Office launches new consultation

News

Published alongside the draft Building Safety Bill as part of the Government’s reforms to improve building and fire safety, the Home Office has launched a new open consultation seeking views on:

• proposals to strengthen the Fire Safety Order (which will remain in place for common parts of multi-occupied high-rise buildings)
• implementing the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations that require placing new legal requirements on building owners/managers of multi-occupied, mostly high-rise, residential buildings
• strengthening the regulatory framework for how building control bodies consult with Fire and Rescue Authorities and the handover of fire safety information.

The consultation looks at all regulated premises in England where people live, stay or work. Combined with the Building Safety Bill, the consultation aims to improve safety in buildings of all heights, although it will be crucial to ensure that there are no gaps between the two regimes.

IWFM will consult with our expert Life Safety Working Group and the wider profession on our response to the consultation and will continue to update members on its implications and progress.

If you would like to share any feedback on this article or on the fire safety consultation, please email: [email protected]