Strengthening fire safety for high rise domestic buildings: consultation

Introduction

What is this consultation about?

The Scottish Government is gathering information and views on proposed actions to strengthen fire safety for people who live in high rise domestic buildings. We will use the responses to improve and refine the proposed actions on strengthening fire safety in high rise domestic buildings. The responses will also inform how these actions should best be implemented to ensure their effectiveness.

The proposed actions are aimed at delivering the five recommendations from the Review of the Fire Safety Regime for High Rise Domestic Buildings in Scotland. These were agreed by the Scottish Government Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety that was set up following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower. There is separate work underway regarding the sixth recommendation to produce fire safety guidance for specialised housing.

Why High Rise Domestic Buildings?

The Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety focused on high rise domestic buildings following the Grenfell Tower fire in London.

What is a High Rise Domestic Building?

A high rise domestic building is a domestic building with any storey at a height of more than 18 metres above the ground – generally more than 6 storeys.

The Guidance in Part 3 of this consultation is not applicable to buildings above 60 m – roughly 20 floors. Specialist advice should be sought for buildings of this height. We are still interested in hearing views from people who live in, or are responsible for, buildings of this size.

Who is this consultation for?

Everyone who lives in, or is responsible for fire safety in high rise domestic buildings is encouraged to respond to the consultation. This includes:

• Those who live in high rise domestic buildings.
• Building Owners.
• Managers.
• Property Factors.
• Property Advisors.
• People with responsibility for Fire Safety.
• Anyone else with views and ideas.

Not everything in the consultation will be relevant to you – please feel free to skip sections or questions that you do not want to answer.

What is in this consultation?

This consultation has three parts. The findings will be used to inform the proposed actions to strengthen fire safety in high rise domestic buildings and their implementation.

Part 1 - Fire Safety Information for People Who Live in High Rise Domestic Buildings

We will develop fire safety information for people who live in high rise domestic buildings. This clarifies and refreshes existing guidance. An example of the type of information is in the Introduction to this part of the consultation. We want to know what information and the best ways to get it to people who live in high rise domestic buildings. Questions on this are in Part 1 of the consultation.

Part 2 - Fire Safety Campaign relative to Common Areas

Items left in common areas can be a fire risk and may block escape from, and access to, a high rise domestic building. A campaign will raise awareness of these issues and encourage people to adopt responsible behaviours to reduce risks. We are gathering views on approaches for this campaign. Questions on this are in Part 2 of the consultation.

Part 3 - Fire Safety in Existing High Rise Domestic Buildings Guidance, including Fire Risk Assessment

This Guidance is aimed at those with formal responsibilities for fire safety in high rise domestic buildings - people that own, factor, manage, give advice on and enforce standards. It provides advice on how to prevent fires and limit the effects of fires that do happen. It includes information on why and how to do a fire risk assessment and includes a model template. Questions on thisarein Part 3 of the consultation.