A consultation to ensure all homes are fully protected against fire and smoke has opened, and members of the public are being encouraged to share their views.
Following the fire at Grenfell Tower in London, a Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety was established to review Scotland’s building and fire safety regulatory frameworks. As part of this work, the Group agreed that consultation on fire and smoke alarm standards, which had originally been planned for later this year, should be prioritised.
There are currently different requirements for fire and smoke alarms for different types of housing. This consultation will look at whether the same standard should be applied across all housing – whether it is new-build, privately or socially rented or owner-occupied.
The consultation will also seek views on what types of alarms should be installed, where they should be located, how often they should be replaced, and how any improved standard might be implemented to encourage compliance.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Scotland has rigorous standards for smoke and fire alarms developed over time, with new-build and private-rented housing at the highest standard. I want everyone to benefit from the same level of protection – so this consultation proposes that the same standard should apply for everyone, whether you own your home, or rent from a social or private landlord.
“Fires and fatalities from fires are decreasing but there were still more than 5,600 fires in homes in Scotland with 39 fatalities last year, and every death is one too many. As we saw from the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, building and fire safety is of utmost importance, which is why this consultation has been brought forward as a priority. I encourage everyone to have their say.”
Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland Executive Director Annie Mauger said: “This consultation seeks to address a longstanding anomaly in the relative levels of protection against fire and smoke that the law currently provides for different tenures of housing. It has to be sensible that residents should receive the same level of protection irrespective of the type of housing tenure they occupy. Following on from the recent Grenfell Tower tragedy, we therefore strongly welcome the Scottish Government’s initiative in bringing forward this consultation.”
You’ll find a link to the consultation here:
The fifth meeting of a Ministerial Working Group, set up to review building and fire safety following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, took place on Friday.
Communities Secretary Angela Constance and Housing Minister Kevin Stewart received updates from Scottish Government officials and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Ministers welcomed the launch of a consultation on fire and building safety, which will better protect all homes against fire and smoke. The consultation will look at whether the same standard should be applied across all housing – whether it is new-build, privately or socially rented or owner-occupied.
Communities Secretary Angela Constance said: “We remain confident that we have stringent building and fire safety regulations in Scotland, and through this Group we will ensure that we will continue to have the highest standards in place.
“I’d like to thank local authorities, fire and rescue and health services, housing associations and building owners for their continued efforts. We are working closely together through this review of our regulations and will take any action that is needed.”
The Group received an update on robust checks taking place across Scotland, including the NHS estate. The University of Edinburgh has been carrying out fire testing at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, which has indicated that sections of panelling in the exterior façade contain some combustible material.
The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service reassured Ministers that as part of its regular risk based audit programme, it had carried out fire safety audits within the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and this has confirmed high standards and that the building is safe. As a precautionary measure NHS Lothian is putting in place further safety measures and is arranging comprehensive investigations to provide full reassurance for patients and staff.
Health Secretary Shona Robison added: “We have received assurances from NHS Lothian and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service that the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh building remiains safe. As part of wider testing being carried out following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, some combustible material has been detected in the external panelling.
“Patient safety remains our top priority, and I am reassured that the Board is putting in place immediate, precautionary measures while further investigations take place.”
Assistant Chief Officer David McGown is the Director of Prevention and Protection for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He added: “Our fire safety audit – within our defined scope of responsibility – showed a high level of fire safety managerial compliance within Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.”
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