EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS NAVIGATING THE CHANGES
Acorn Safety Services provides a guide to finding your way through the new UK fire evacuation rules.
On 2 September, Rushanara Ali, Labour MP and Minister for Building Safety, announced in Parliament that changes were coming into force in relation to fire safety and evacuation rules.
These changes are being pushed through in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to improve fire safety and ensure that people, particularly those who are disabled and vulnerable, can evacuate from a building quickly but safely in the event of a fire.
Much of the new regulations centre around residential properties and high-rise buildings but there are important aspects that businesses need to be aware of, particularly in the care and construction sectors.
SPRINKLERS AND STAIR CASES In the publication of new rules were two significant updates to the statutory guidance that accompanies Building Regulations, known as Approved Document B. Firstly, the UK government is introducing a provision for sprinklers to be installed in new care homes, regardless of building height. Note that this change is for new care homes. This is not applicable to all care homes currently, but may well come into force for older care home buildings in due course. Current government guidance recognises the benefits of sprinklers in care homes, namely that they can prevent fires from spreading and limit the number of residents who need evacuating. Sprinklers, as well as aiding the safe evacuation of people in care homes in the event of a fire, could also bring cost benefits as less property damage will occur. According to
gov.uk, installing sprinklers into all new care homes regardless of height, is estimated to have a total cost of £161.5m to businesses. Care home owners and developers will benefit from a six-month transition period until the guidance comes into effect and will then have a further six months to enable work on current development projects that are underway, or about to start, to continue.
Secondly, guidance for second staircases in tall, residential buildings that are more than 18 metres in height will come into force on 30 September, 2026.
WHAT DO BUSINESSES NEED TO DO NOW? Organisations involved in the construction of new care homes or new tall, residential buildings will need to ensure they are fully up to speed with the rule changes regarding fire evacuation.
For businesses, building managers, and safety officers, understanding and implementing fire evacuation rules is essential and saves lives. Aside from the new rules mentioned above, all businesses need to have robust fire safety and evacuation plans in place to get everyone out of their building swiftly but safely, with everyone accounted for.
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Darren Manning (left), Acorn Safety’s new Trainee Fire and Legionella Consultant, with Legionella and Fire Manager, Adam Midson.
Evacuation plans need to show:
● Obviously marked escape routes that are as short and direct as possible, with clear passageways.
● Enough exits and routes for everyone to escape. ● Emergency doors that open easily. ● Emergency lighting where needed.
● Training for all employees to know and use the escape routes.
● A safe meeting point for staff.
Acorn Safety Services, a health and safety consultancy in Northamptonshire, has been working with a wide range of businesses including care homes, retailers and schools this year to help them with their fire risk assessments and fire evacuation plans.
The company’s Legionella and Fire Manager, Adam Midson, said: “We have seen a massive increase in the companies reaching out to us to support them with their legionella and fire risk management in 2024, which has led to the appointment of more staff in our legionella and fire teams.
“You only ever hear the stories about when things go wrong and lives are lost or affected by illness and injury as a result of poor planning, risk assessment or record keeping. We make it easy for organisations of all shapes, sizes and industries to stay compliant with the law and keep their people and properties safe.”
Acorn Safety Services is a member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) and provides comprehensive fire risk assessments, fire evacuation plans, compartmentation surveys, fire door inspections and fire warden training tailored to the specific needs of its clients.
www.acornhealthandsafety.co.uk www.tomorrowshs.com
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