The Grenfell Tower disaster forever altered the conversation around fire safety in high-rise living. In response, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) established an advisory group focused on fire safety, with findings submitted to the independent review of building regulations and fire safety. The recommendations push for a comprehensive reassessment of fire safety policies, including the crucial stay put policy and a larger, more active role for fire brigades in fire risk assessments. This article explores those proposals, their rationale, and what they could mean for residents, builders, and policymakers in the United Kingdom.
The context: Grenfell, policy, and public confidence
The Grenfell tragedy highlighted how assumptions about passive fire protection can fail in practice. The stay put policy, which allows residents to remain in their flats during a fire, rests on the belief that the building’s passive fire safety design will protect occupants until evacuation is possible. RIBA’s advisory group argues that this approach may not always be appropriate, especially in light of fast-spreading fires and varying building conditions. A comprehensive review is needed to reframe evacuation procedures, ensure residents know when to stay and when to evacuate, and restore public confidence in high-rise safety.
This moment in the policy landscape is about more than one rule; it’s about a culture of continuous improvement. The goal is to ensure that the duty to safeguard residents is dynamic, transparent, and capable of adapting to new evidence, technology, and fire scenarios. By foregrounding a rigorous review of stay put, RIBA seeks to align regulations with real-world risk and operational realities faced by occupants and responders alike.
Stay put under the microscope: What a re-evaluation could involve
- Reassessing when stay put is appropriate: The advisory group emphasizes clarifying conditions under which residents should stay in their flats versus evacuate. This could involve more stringent criteria for passive fire protection, egress readiness, and timely information to residents during emergencies.
- Enhanced resident information and drills: A key benefit of revisiting stay put is improved communication. Residents would receive clearer guidance on fire safety concepts, including indicators that warrant evacuation and how to respond if alarms sound.
- Clear evacuation pathways and scenarios: A re-evaluation would likely lead to more explicit evacuation strategies for different fire scenarios, ensuring that residents understand the expected behavior in a range of conditions.
- Risk-based assessment framework: Moving beyond a one-size-fits-all policy, a refined approach could consider building design, compartmentalization, occupancy patterns, and fire performance data to guide decisions during an incident.
- Public confidence and accountability: Reassessing stay put helps address public concerns about the safety of living in high-rise buildings and demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based policy.
By prioritizing these elements, the stay put policy could become more nuanced and better suited to protecting residents in diverse situations. It’s not about abandoning a longstanding approach but about strengthening it with current knowledge and lessons learned since Grenfell.
Elevating the role of fire brigades in fire risk assessments
RIBA’s proposals advocate for a broader, more integrated role for fire brigades in fire risk assessments. Traditionally, fire brigades respond to incidents, but their on-site expertise can be leveraged in proactive risk management. Benefits include:
- Expertise in operational fire behavior: Fire brigades bring frontline insights into how fires unfold in high-rise contexts, which can inform building design and maintenance practices.
- Better integration with design and construction teams: Having fire brigades involved earlier in planning and commissioning processes can improve risk identification and mitigation strategies before construction or occupancy.
- Strengthened enforcement and compliance: When fire services participate in risk assessments, there is a clearer pathway for enforcing safety standards and ensuring ongoing adherence to regulations.
- Enhanced disaster readiness: A collaborative approach enhances resilience, enabling faster, coordinated responses across design, construction, and emergency services.
This shift aligns with a broader trend toward cross-disciplinary collaboration in safety-critical industries. It acknowledges that preventing fires is a shared responsibility that benefits from the expertise of those who respond first on the scene.
The Fire Safety Order and the debate on repeal
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005/2006 created a streamlined framework for fire safety responsibilities through a “responsible person” and a centralized risk assessment approach. RIBA has argued that repealing or repealing aspects of the Fire Safety Order could lead to a strengthening of roles for fire brigades and, consequently, more robust safety practices.
- A more explicit chain of accountability: Removing outdated or redundant elements can help focus enforcement and ensure that all parties—from owners to building managers—actively participate in maintaining safe environments.
- Better alignment across stages: By integrating fire safety into construction, maintenance, and ongoing operation, the regulatory framework can ensure that safety considerations are not sidelined after completion.
Critics of repeal point to the risk of reducing clarity or creating confusion about responsibilities. Proponents argue that a refreshed framework could streamline compliance while elevating safety outcomes through clearer expectations and stronger collaboration.
Proposed changes to building regulations and governance
RIBA’s advisory group also emphasizes updating building regulations to include more robust independent scrutiny of building work. Two roles stand out:
- Principal Designer: This role would oversee fire safety during the design phase, with ongoing approvals and inspections by building control officers and independent checks. The aim is to ensure designs incorporate fire safety as a primary consideration, not an afterthought.
- Principal Contractor: This role would liaise with the fire brigade and other stakeholders to meet fire safety objectives during construction. Ensuring coordination among designers, contractors, and safety authorities is crucial for practical, enforceable compliance.
Implementation would involve staged inspections, verification that construction aligns with approved plans, and final certification that all works meet applicable safety standards. A rigorous oversight framework would increase accountability and protect residents.
Implementation considerations and challenges
- Balancing safety with practical constraints: Any reform must consider cost, feasibility, and the impact on housing supply, while maintaining strong safety guarantees.
- Transitional arrangements: Introducing new roles and review processes requires careful planning, training, and resource allocation.
- Stakeholder engagement: Building owners, residents, fire services, and regulators must collaborate openly to ensure reforms reflect diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Evidence-based policy making: Policies should be guided by transparent data, post-incident analyses, and continuous learning.
The wake of the Grenfell tragedy continues to shape the conversation around high-rise fire safety. RIBA’s advisory group calls for a critical reassessment of the stay put policy, a larger role for fire brigades in fire risk assessments, and updated building regulations that reflect modern risk realities. While changes to laws and practices take time, the overarching aim is clear: to create safer buildings, empower residents with better information, and strengthen the collective ability of professionals and emergency services to prevent, respond to, and recover from fires.
In pursuing these recommendations, it is essential to maintain a spirit of collaboration and vigilance. Repeal discussions, new governance roles, and refined evacuation strategies should all be pursued with the primary goal of protecting lives. The path forward requires ongoing dialogue, rigorous oversight, and a renewed commitment to fire safety as a shared responsibility.
If you are seeking guidance or have concerns about fire safety in your building, consider reaching out to local fire safety professionals or your building’s safety officer for up-to-date information and resources. RIBA’s calls for reform reflect a commitment to a safer built environment for everyone. RIBA Calls For Repeal Of Fire Safety Order. Stay informed, stay prepared, and stay safe.
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