New fire safety legislation designed to help crews respond to fires in high-rise homes comes into force today (23 January).
The regulations mean those responsible for all residential buildings that contain two or more sets of domestic premises, with communal areas, will need to provide vital information to their local fire and rescue service.
This will include building plans with details on layout, the materials used for external wall design, and details of any repairs to firefighting lifts and essential fire-fighting equipment on site.
The new regulations will help fire crews in planning for and responding to a fire in these buildings and have been made following recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Under the new regulations, fire safety instructions and information about fire doors must clearly be displayed in a lobby or communal area of the building. All residents should receive this information when they move in, as well as an annual update.
Protection Station Manager Karl Manners said:
“We welcome the new regulations as an important step forward in improving fire safety for members of our communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”
If you have any concerns that the new regulations are not being followed in your building please get in touch in person, in writing, by phone or email.
Find out more about the new regulations.