New Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
In June 2017, a massive fire broke out in the Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey apartment building near Notting Hill in London. The incident called for more than 250 firefighters to control the spread of the fire. The blaze became the cause of death for 72 people and a cause of injury for more than 70 residents. Although 223 people successfully escaped the fire, it was declared one of the worst fire-related incidents to occur in London. This is based on the level of resources and effort needed to extinguish the 60-hour-long fire with continuous attempts.
The Grenfell Tower fire case Grenfell Tower was originally built in 1974 and was only recently refurbished. The firefighters who participated in the process of extinguishing the Grenfell Tower fire claimed that the spread of the fire was very rapid as it escalated in a matter of a few minutes. The process of inquiry and court hearings for this incident was extremely long. It took 308 days over four years to be completed.
New Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
The major reason for the delay was the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. An electrical issue in a fridge on the fourth story caused the fire to start. It quickly climbed the outside of the structure, engulfing all of the residential stories in flames and smoke. This was caused by the outside insulation and the new cladding on the building as a ‘stack effect’ was made possible by the air space between them.
Results of the inquiry and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
On 30th October 2019, the investigation released its Phase 1 recommendations. This offered several suggestions, including the elimination of risky Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding from buildings, the creation of a national evacuation plan, and enhanced security for tower block inhabitants. The UK government also came up with the revised Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 in line with the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. These regulations will be put into effect from 23rd January 2023.
Current and future owners of high-rise buildings that are either seven stories or have a height of 18 meters will have to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Give their local fire and rescue service (FRS) access to the floor plans and building plans electronically. This should include information regarding the building’s outside wall system
- Maintain paper copies of the building’s floor plans, a one-page orientation layout of the structure, the name and contact information of the person in charge residing in the UK, and other important information in a safe information box that firefighters may access.
- Include navigational signage that can be seen in poor light, which comprises distinct marks that denote the floor and specific flat numbers
- Establish regular monthly inspections of the necessary elements of firefighting tools and the designated firefighters’ lifts in high-rise residential structures
- Notify the FRS if a firefighter lift or any items from the firefighting equipment have not been functioning for more than 24 hours
- Conduct yearly inspections of apartment entrance doors and quarterly inspections of all common fire doors
- Give homeowners pertinent information on the value of fire doors and fire safety procedures.
Why invest in wayfinding signage?
As of 23rd January 2023, all residential and non-residential high-rise buildings in Britain will be required by law to have wayfinding signage. This will be a requirement as per the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. This comprises distinct marks that denote the floor and specific flat numbers. According to the Phase 1 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the stairway landings in the building were not prominently marked with the appropriate floor numbers. This made it difficult for the firefighters to quickly identify the levels.
The Inquiry recommended (Recommendation 33.27) that in all high-rise buildings:
• Floor numbers be clearly marked on each landing within the stairways and in a prominent place in all lobbies
• That floor numbers are visible both in normal conditions and in low lighting or smoky conditions.
English citizens must abide by the laws set up by the government, especially when aimed at our safety. In case of law breaching, building owners will be held accountable for any consequences. These consequences could potentially include a heavy fine, jail time, and freezing of the property.
The legal punishment for breaking the rules in this regard is yet to be declared, but the UK government has given high-rise tower owners ample time to install wayfinding signage. This will help to ensure the safety of their buildings and the residents should an unforeseen event such as the Grenfell Tower fire occur again. As safety sign experts, we can provide all the wayfinding and navigational signage you need to ensure your buildings are safe and compliant.
Take a look at our range of photoluminescent fire escape signs online or contact our Quotes and Specials team for custom signs and markers.