Fire safety guidance in purpose-built blocks of flats. Background to the project why a new guide? Background to the project why a new guide?

Transcription

1 Fire safety guidance in purpose-built blocks of flats Caroline Bosdet Project Manager July Background to the project why a new guide? LACORS guide (2008) Housing fire safety: guidance on fire safety provisions in certain types of existing housing Designed to help regulators and accommodation providers understand the requirements of the Housing Act 2004 (HA04) and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) Not intended to cover purpose-built blocks of flats Background to the project why a new guide? LG Regulation (formerly LACoRS) national fire safety meeting January 2010 = Application of the FSO has been problematic Accommodation providers unclear of legal responsibilities Different views on the extent of investigations required when conducting a fire risk assessment Variations in approach to enforcement in fire LACORS guide did not cover purpose built blocks of flats

2 Background to the project why a new guide? December 2010 DCLG agreed to fund production of fire safety guidance in purpose-built blocks of flats LG Group assigned to project manage January 2011 expert consultants CS Todd & Associates appointed Project Group and Reference Group of key stakeholders established Stakeholders Project Group LG Group DCLG Electrical Safety Council funders Chief Fire Officers Association Association of Residential Managing Agents Chartered Institute of Environmental Health National Housing Federation Stakeholders Reference Group National Federation of ALMOs Chartered Institute of Housing London Fire Brigade Federation of Private Resident Associations Tenant Services Authority London Councils Resident Landlords Association National Landlords Association And others

3 General principles Positioned alongside DCLG Sleeping Accommodation Guide and LACoRS guide generic Funded and sponsored by DCLG but sector-led guidance Project managed by LG Group with a wide range of stakeholders and a clear consultation programme No new standards or regulations Non-prescriptive and providing alternatives Practical and proportionate advice on ensuring adequate fire safety, risk assessment and to manage fire safety Project scope Relates to purpose-built only, but any height Existing flats not new Includes flats of more than one storey Includes sheltered and cluster flats Covers flats above shops, etc Give advice on impact of alterations Includes owner-occupied, social and private rented Addresses the split between freeholder and leaseholder Project scope Not about property protection or operational firefighting Does not cover Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) Does not cover commercial elements, etc or ancillary facilities

4 Who is it aimed at? One document aimed at: Responsible persons Regulators Fire risk assessors Who is it aimed at? Those who manage, give advice and enforce standards in purpose-built blocks of flats: Private rented sector landlords Social housing providers Residents management companies Right to manage companies Managing agents or facility managers Enforcement officers in local authority housing authorities Enforcement officers in fire and rescue services Consultants/contractors carrying out fire risk assessments Not residents Contents Introduction Part A: Safe as Houses? Fires in flats and their impact Part B: Fire safety how blocks of flats differ from other residences Part C: The law governing fire safety in blocks of flats Part D: Fire risk assessment Part E: Managing fire risk preventing fires Part F: Managing fire risk fire protection Part G: Managing fire risk ongoing control

5 Contents Appendix 1: History of fire safety design standards for purpose-built blocks of flats Appendix 2: Steps in a fire risk assessment Appendix 3: Selecting a competent professional fire risk assessor Appendix 4: Fire safety advice for residents Appendix 5: Examples of fire action notices Appendix 6: Fire detection and fire alarm systems for blocks of flats Appendix 7-11: Case studies Summary of key issues covered Legal responsibilities Fire spread Means of escape Stay put v full evacuation Housekeeping zero tolerance/managed use Benchmark standards original design and current standards Scope of fire risk assessments four types Guidance on selecting a competent fire risk assessor Advice on appropriate fire precautions Engaging with residents Consultation and engagement Three regional events 130 attendees SE ALMO Group hosted by London Fire Brigade 40 ALMOs represented London HMO and Regulatory Group hosted by Chartered Institute of Environmental Health 12 London boroughs represented Over 70 detailed comments from local authorities, fire and rescue services, ALMOs, private sector housing trade associations, professional bodies, private consultancies and the fire industry Promotion through Inside Housing and fire press Profile at Fire Protection Association Housing Sector Forum, CIH Annual Conference and this conference

6 Key issues Status of the guidance and relationship with other guidance e.g. LACORS People with disabilities Stay put policy and Type 1 risk assessment as default position Sprinklers Mobility scooters Timetable Reference Group will sign off the final draft on 1 July The guidance will be published electronically by end July 2011 (free to download from the LG Group website) Press launch Promotion through stakeholder networks Evaluation one year on Contact information Caroline Bosdet Senior Advisor Local Government Group caroline.bosdet@local.gov.uk Tel: