INTERIORS 83


SECOND STAIRCASE; SECOND CHANCE


Stuart Bosley of Quantum and DeSimone Consulting Engineering looks at navigating the challenges of the new ‘second staircase’ regulations


T


he Government’s recent ruling on second staircases has caused signifi cant disruption for both developers and the housebuilding industry. espite the resulting and the pausing of many maor developments, it’s crucial to remain focused on the ultimate obective ensuring the safety and wellbeing of residents.


The proposal will mean all residential towers over 30 metres will see the introduction of a second staircase, which represents a signifi cant advancement in the enhancement of fi re safety measures in highrise residential buildings, reinforced by the lessons learned from the renfell Tower fi re.


The second staircase ruling is estimated to cost .bn over the next decade, and will cause potential delays for over , homes in ondon, according to real estate fi rms ambert mith ampton and onnells. The ultimate aim for the second staircase ruling is to create


alternative escape routes for residents living in highrise buildings, guaranteeing their safety during emergencies. The construction on many high-rise developments have been halted due to this potential new ruling, including a home development in ast ondon which was paused due to fears it wouldn’t meet the new second-staircase regulations. The  residential blocs were of various heights between three and  storeys. The developer behind the scheme blamed the overnment for the delay and the uncertainty around the new regulation.


ousing association larion is another example of a housing developer forced to pause wor on highrise buildings due to uncertainty around the new rulings. The housing association has 15 schemes above  metres in height, where wor is now either not moving forward or moving forward at an extremely delayed rate. larion’s chief executive said that


he didn’t want to develop a building that does not meet legislation nine months out, so put the schemes on hold. ighrise residential buildings currently in procurement in ondon could be delayed for as long as nine months, according to research from consultant rcadis. The ruling has certainly caught many housebuilders and developers off guard. The ational ire hiefs ouncil has argued that second staircases should be mandatory in highrise residential blocs over a certain height, as a correctly designed second staircase removes the ris of a single point of failure, buying critical time for fi refi ghting activities, and providing residents with multiple escape routes. hile these challenges are very real, the conversation is important. The industry can overcome these disruptions and commit to bolstering fi re safety standards, as when it comes to health and safety, there is no room for compromise.


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