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Tall Buildings and Grenfell

Information that may be relevant for landlords or building management companies related to high-rise safety and outcomes of the Grenfell report is available here.

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Safety

Information that may be relevant for landlords or building management companies, as well as tenants, related to high-rise safety and outcomes of the Grenfell report is available below.

Presently enforceable under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

  • All residents should be aware of the evacuation plan and what they need to do in event of a fire (whether in their flat, the common areas or another flat)
  • fire doors are extremely important to the passive fire measures in the building. It is important that they are checked regularly to ensure that they continue to carry out their function.

Best Practice

Recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 1 report: –  

  • Regular inspections of individual flat front doors
  • each floor should be marked at a low level with the floor number. This action will greatly assist firefighters in the event of a fire and smoke logging of the staircase/corridors. This will improve firefighter safety and ensure that any rescues are not unduly delayed
  • that all lifts including firefighting lifts should be inspected regularly, and the reports collated by the responsible person. If a lift fails during a fire incident, immense pressure is placed on those at the incident and delays in tackling the fire and rescue may occur
  • fitting of Premises Information Boxes (PIB) – which will contain the provision of secure information to the fire and rescue service for use in firefighting actions
  • simple floor plan layouts indicating any relevant fire resistance provisions, internal access provisions, firefighting facilities, building services and specific hazards
  • relevant information including operating instructions for any equipment or for any fixed installations for firefighting or means of escape
  • fire engineering strategy
  • information relevant to preventing environmental damage
  • relevant information and operating instructions relating to lifts provided for means of escape or firefighting
  • personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP) should be arranged for vulnerable people living within the building
  • the provision of up-to-date electronic plans for the local fire and rescue service
  • an evacuation plan should be clearly visible within the building.  

For premises-specific guides, which are issued by the government, please visit our fire risk assessment page.

From January 23 2023, new regulations will come into force under Article 24 of the Fire Safety Order, which applies in England, and govern steps and guidance that a responsible person for a premises needs to take or follow to ensure fire safety in residential premises that are:

  • High-rise buildings
  • buildings 11 metres or taller
  • premises with more than one residential premises contained within – for example, a house converted into flats.

We’ve put together detailed guidance for responsible persons on the requirements for these different types of properties. Visit our Residential Fire Safety page for further information. The full Regulations can be found on the UK Government website.

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Services we offer related to Tall Buildings and Grenfell

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Residential Fire Safety
Residential fire safety gives guidance around requirements for fire safety measures in multi-occupancy residential premises, high-rise blocks or buildings over 11 metres in height.
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Fire engineering
Our Fire Engineering team use their skills to assist in building, planning and using legislation to protect people, property and the environment from the effects of fire.
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Fire Risk Assessment guidance
Fire Risk Assessments are a legal requirement for workplaces. We can’t complete a fire risk assessment for you, but we can provide advice and guidance.
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Fire safety
Fire Safety in business or commercial settings is an important part of our work in keeping the communities of the West Midlands safe. We can offer support and guidance to your business through these services.
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Safe and Well
Safe and Well visits are an important part of our prevention activity. They enable us to advise and educate on safety at home, with a particular focus on our most vulnerable residents.