Resident, Fire and Health & Safety should be a ‘central focus’ for all housing providers in 2022 and beyond.
Following the tragic events at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, a full-scale review was launched into building regulations and fire safety. Initially, this focussed on high-rise buildings (those being at least 18 metres in height or have at least seven storeys, and two residential units). Longer term, the changes to be introduced by the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Bill, are likely to improve, shape and drive forward safety standards across ‘all built’ environments. The changes will also make sure ‘tenants are given a voice, and are heard’ and offered real assurance that the buildings in which they live, are safe, without risk and habitable.
What’s changed…? One key aspect now is that external wall systems and all fire doors must already be included within fire risk assessments of all multi-occupied residential buildings of any height. The initial and somewhat controversial guidance about how to achieve this, issued by the MHCLG, has now been withdrawn and a new code of practice, PAS 9980:2022 Fire Risk (appraisal of external wall construction and cladding of existing blocks of flats), was published in January 2022. It sets out a new methodology for duty holders, which can be applied proportionately depending upon the complexities or precise nature of your buildings.
What’s to come…? It is expected that those in charge of buildings, will also need to introduce ‘safety cases’, ensure and maintain ‘the golden thread’ of information, and appoint dedicated personnel into roles, such as the ‘accountable person’ and ‘Building Safety Managers’. All the changes have an increased focus on obtaining better, more credible and reliable information about buildings and communicating it effectively and engaging with residents, particularly about safety. Notably, there is a clear alignment and overlap with some objectives set out within the ‘Social Housing White Paper’, whereby housing organisations are also taking pro-active steps in relation to tenant engagement and satisfaction.
A recent report issued by the Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG) has, however, concluded that more could still be done by organisations looking to get ahead, in terms of fire and building safety compliance. Here at Brabners, we will continue to track and ‘horizon scan’ this area carefully and deliver regular updates on major developments as they arise, to help you navigate the changing regulatory landscape.
If you would like to consider with us how your business is currently approaching the regulatory regime, obtain any specific advice on how it applies to you or what more could be done – please do not hesitate to contact our Regulatory Team.
In our three-part 'Ask the Leaders' video series, we’ve spoken to Chief Executives of four organisations, to understand what drives them, and how they are navigating the complexities and challenges currently facing the Affordable Housing sectors, watch the full video below, alternatively you can click here.
