Buildings will be made safer under new government proposals including mandating second staircases for new tower blocks and sprinkler systems for new care homes.
This is the latest step in updating the statutory guidance which underpins building regulations for new buildings to ensure the safety of those living and working there. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will consult on its plans over the next three months.
The department is also looking at mandating sprinklers in all new care homes, regardless of height, to improve the safety of vulnerable residents and help firefighters with evacuations.
Minister for Local Government and Building Safety Lee Rowley said: ‘There are undoubtedly lessons still to be learnt from the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Department for Housing is committed to working with the sector and residents to explore what more needs to be done to make new homes across the country safe.
“This consultation is the next step in the Department’s work to improve building regulations and make sure they are as clear and effective as possible.”
Since the Grenfell Tower fire, the department has undertaken the task of updating and improving fire safety guidance to prevent it from happening again. The department has already made several significant changes to the Building Regulations and its guidance. Since 2017 the department has:
- Implemented a ban of combustible materials for residential buildings, hospitals and student accommodation above 18m and provided new guidance for residential buildings between 11m-18m
- Banned the use of Metal Composite Materials of the type used on Grenfell on all buildings
- Undertook a large programme of work to clarify the guidance
- Lowered the threshold for the provision of sprinklers in new blocks of flats from 30m+ to 11m+
- Made provisions for wayfinding signage for fire fighters in new blocks of flats more than 11m
- Made provisions for evacuation alert systems in new residential buildings over 18 metres in height
