Credit: istock SHansche
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has issued new guidance to ensure that fire safety is embedded from the outset when buildings are being designed and planned in London.
The draft Fire Safety London Plan guidance, published last month, sets out how developers should demonstrate compliance with the London Plan policies to achieve high fire safety standards. It highlights developers’ responsibility to demonstrate schemes can be constructed and occupied safely.
The government has already introduced these requirements for higher risk buildings under rules in Planning Gateway one introduced last year. The Plan is looking to extend those requirements to all buildings in the capital.
London Fire Brigade’s deputy assistant commissioner for fire safety, Greg Ashman, said: ‘It is imperative that developers are considering fire safety at the earliest stage of the building design process.’
- The draft guidance is out for consultation until 20 May
Aims of Fire Safety London Plan
- Competent fire safety experts involved at the earliest stage of the design process
- Lifts included in developments to allow evacuation with dignity during an emergency
- Fire safety and evacuation measures identified at the planning application stage, and referred to in each subsequent stage of the development process.
