London Assembly urges government to bring forward fire regulation review

A report produced by the London Assembly has asked the government to tighten regulations on timber-framed buildings, following a number of major fires involving timber-framed buildings in the capital.

The Assembly's Planning and Housing Committee called on the Government to begin its planned review of fire regulations immediately rather than wait until 2012, due to concern within the industry about the safety of timber-framed sites following a spate of recent fires.

The report also called for improvements to the way fire risks are managed in tall residential buildings after finding that, at present, one-in-five fire risk assessments in London is inadequate.

There is a need to improve fire safety during the construction phase of timber-framed buildings. We call for temporary sprinklers to be installed on timber-framed sites, and for a mandatory requirement to inform the Fire Brigade of new timber-framed sites so they are better prepared to tackle fires if they occur.  Partial occupation of timber-framed sites should be forbidden.

The fire risk assessment process must be improved by ensuring the people conducting them are properly qualified for the task.  We call on the CLG to draw up mandatory minimum standards of competence for training and accrediting all assessors.

Residents of tall buildings need better information about evacuation procedures and the way DIY modifications, like installing extra plug sockets, can compromise fire safety measures.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) should ensure all social landlords publish a full register of fire risk assessments online; provide existing and new residents with better information about what to do in the event of a fire; and ensure that inspecting for unauthorised or damaging works are part of routine estate inspections by housing staff.

The DCLG said that it would respond to the London Assembly's report once it had been received.

The full report is available at the following link: http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Final%20Draft%20Report.pdf