Guidance

Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats

How to ensure fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats and practical advice on assessing risk and managing fire safety in such buildings.

Documents

Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats

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Details

This document is a guide to ensuring adequate fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats, regardless of age. Practical advice is offered on how to assess the risk from fire and how to manage fire safety in such buildings. The document also includes case studies based on the commonly found issues in blocks of flats, with suggested fire safety solutions.

This guide was produced in 2011 and originally hosted on the Local Government Association’s website. It is no longer comprehensive and should be be read alongside the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Consolidated Advice Note and the National Fire Chief Council’s guidance on simultaneous evacuation.

The Home Office has commissioned a revision to this text as part of its overhaul of existing Fire Safety Order guidance. We expect to be able to publish this later in 2021. In particular the information relating to vulnerable persons in paragraphs 79.9 to 79.11 is being considered through the Personal Emergency Evacuations Plan Consultation. We have therefore decided that it would be appropriate to grey out this text while this takes place.

We know this publication isn’t fully accessible. If you have queries or need help to use it, email kevin.finch@homeoffice.gov.uk or james.aulton@homeoffice.gov.uk

Published 7 June 2021