A new guidance document for purpose-built flats will address the “confusion” managing agents and landlords face in enforcing fire safety precautions, consultants CS Todd and Associates say.
The document, which is being funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government among other partners, will stand to promote consistent standards for all existing purpose-built blocks of flats and is expected in July this year.
Colin Todd, managing director of CS Todd and Associates, welcomed the move, which he said would address “significant inconsistencies” in fire safety.
“The importance of an appropriate approach has been highlighted by a number of serious fires in blocks of flats and the need for enforcement action by a number of fire and rescue authorities,” he said.
“However, significant inconsistencies have arisen in the approach adopted by the various parties, causing considerable confusion for landlords and managing agents. We are delighted to have been selected to prepare this very important guidance.”
The project is being led by the Local Government Improvement and Development body and aims to follow a similar format to existing guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of housing already built – which was first published in 2008. The guidance, however, was never meant to cover purpose-built blocks of flats.
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