A History of Fire Safety in the UK
Fire safety has been a huge concern in the UK for centuries – almost as far back as the discovery of fire! But, as civilisation developed, that worry became all too real. Unfortunately, many of the rules we have in place today were shaped by devastating fires. To truly understand fire safety legislation and its reasoning, we first need to look closely at those events.
The Great Fire of London 1666:
The first, and most famous is the Great Fire of London in 1666. A massive fire that started as a spark from an oven caught in something dry. Experts think flour or wood, and quickly tore through London. Buildings were made of timber and covered in a flammable substance called pitch, roofed with thatch and tightly packed together. On top of that, there was no organised fire brigade, which meant it destroyed thousands of buildings. Afterwards, lawmakers introduced new regulations requiring builders to use brick and stone instead of timber. Along with, spacing buildings appropriately to reduce the risk of fire spreading from one building to another.
Theatre Royal Fire in 1887:
The next major event was the Theatre Royal Fire in 1887. A fire broke out backstage in a packed theatre in Exeter, causing widespread panic. 186 people died from a combination of smoke and flame, crushing and trampling, and trauma injuries from jumping off the roof and balconies. This tragedy highlighted the need for clear evacuation routes and proper fire exits, and led to new safety standards in public buildings.
Summerland Disaster 1973:
In 1973 we had the Summerland Disaster. A fire spread through a leisure centre on the Isle of man while there were 3,000 people inside. Three boys caused the fire by smoking in a disused kiosk, and because the building was clad in gladbestos (a thin sheet of steel with asbestos sheets on either side) and bitumen, the fire spread quickly. Tragically, it caused the death of 50 people and seriously injured 80, while exposing the dangers of using highly flammable building materials. The backlash from this prompted stricter rules on fire risk assessments.
Grenfell Tower Tragedy 2017:
Finally, we have the recent Grenfell Tower tragedy from 2017. An electrical fault in a refrigerator on the 4th floor caused one of the most devasting modern fires. Consequently, poorly installed, combustible insulation allowed the fire to spread uncontrollably both up and across the 24-storey tower block. The tragedy claimed 72 lives and injured 70 more. As a result, Grenfell led to sweeping reforms in fire safety, particularly around cladding materials, sprinkler systems and evacuation policies.
All of these fires have one thing in common. They were all tragic, and they all caused sweeping reforms in fire safety regulations. Which make our buildings much safer today.
New Fire Regulations
As a result of the many tragic fires, fire safety laws are constantly evolving to prevent future disasters. In recent years, lawmakers have introduced several important updates and reforms including:
The Fire Safety Act 2021: This law expanded the Fire Safety Order 2005, making sure that external walls, doors and shared spaces in apartment buildings are properly assessed for fire risks.
The Building Safety Act 2022: This Act was brought in as a direct response to Grenfell, and introduced a new Building Safety Regulator. Along with, tougher fire safety responsibilities for landlords and developers. Consequently, any building is classed as a ‘higher-risk building’ if it’s at least 18 meters tall, or has 7 or more storeys with multiple residential units. If a building falls into this category, then it will go through much stricter fire safety assessments and management.
The Banning of Combustible Cladding: Any building over 18 meters high can no longer use combustible materials on their exteriors. This is to prevent fire from spreading.
New Evacuation Plans for High-Rise Buildings: Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (or PEEPs) have been around for a long time. But their use and implementation have become essential since the Grenfell tragedy. These plans ensure that vulnerable residents have clear escape strategies in case of a fire.
Stricter Fire Door Inspections: High-rise buildings are now required to have routine fire door inspections to make sure they work properly.
These updates are designed to make buildings safer, particularly if they’re high-rises of multiple occupancy residences.
Fire Safety Legislation for Homeowners & Business Owners
Fire safety isn’t just for large apartment buildings and offices. It’s also for homeowners and business owners, who have just as much responsibility for the safety of the people inside their buildings. Let’s break it down:
For Homeowners:
• If you own a home, you are required to install smoke alarms on every floor.As well as carbon monoxide detectors in rooms that have solid fuel-burning appliances installed. You should test these every month, and replace batteries every year if they are battery operated. Detectors do have a limited lifespan, and should be replaced every 10 years.
• If you live in a block of flats or an HMO, there are a few critical things you need to check. For example, are the smoke alarms working? Are any escape routes clear and well-marked? Do the fire doors close properly? Are there fire extinguishers and sprinklers where required? If you notice any missing or poorly maintained alarms, notify your landlord or property manager immediately. They are legally responsible for making sure these safety measures are properly installed and maintained.
• To comply with regulations, a qualified electrician must test electrical installations in rental homes at lease once every five years to ensure they meet safety standards. Also, regulations recommend Portable Appliance Testing (also known as PAT) once a year for household appliances to check that they don’t pose a fire risk. All of these inspections should be recorded to demonstrate compliance.
• Finally, if you store gas cylinders, fuels or other flammable substances Keep them in well-ventilated and safe areas away from heat sources.
For Business Owners:
Business owners must adhere to strict rules and requirements, as they are legally obligated to comply with them. These include:
• The first is Fire Risk Assessments. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 205, businesses are required to regularly assess fire risks and put safety measures in place. This means a fire risk assessment (or FRA), which should be done every year.
• Employees need training on fire prevention, emergency evacuation and how to use fire extinguishers in the building, and this training should be refreshed regularly.
• Premises should all have well lit, clear escape routes that are checked and cleared regularly. Additionally, this includes testing the lights once a month, and giving the whole system a full duration test every year. You must log and record all of this to maintain compliance and ensure safety.
• Businesses have a requirement to provide and maintain fire extinguishers in the workplace. But not just any fire extinguishers – they have to be the right type for the environments. For example, CO2 extinguishers for electrical fires and wet chemical extinguishers for kitchens. A professional must service these annually, and you should check them monthly for any visible damage or obstruction.
• Finally, fire alarms should be tested weekly, with the results logged in a fire safety book each time. Your sprinkler systems need periodic inspections, and a full service of the system needs to be carried out annually by a qualified technician. And, no surprise, it all needs to be documented for compliance!
Fire Safety:
In practice, fire safety is one of the most critical parts of both the design and maintenance of buildings, yet many people frequently overlook it. Therefore, by involving a knowledgeable professional, you can ensure that your building is safe and compliant whether you’re a homeowner, tenant or business owner. If you have any questions, or would like to know more about how Harrison Clarke can help, just get in touch with the team today on 02381 55 00 51 and we would be happy to help.
For more expert advice on surveying and property matters, check out our range of informative videos on our website or YouTube channel. Harrison Clarke Chartered Surveyors is here to guide you every step of the way!
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