The safety of tall buildings in London continues to be a concern, as highlighted in recent discussions by the London Assembly Fire Committee. London’s Fire Commissioner, Andy Roe, has pointed out ongoing fire safety risks in newly built high-rise buildings.
While much attention has been given to cladding, other important issues need to be addressed to keep residents and emergency responders safe.
Fire Safety Challenges in High-Rise Buildings
Some new tall buildings have only one staircase, which can make it harder for people to leave safely in an emergency and for firefighters to enter the building. A single staircase can quickly become crowded, making evacuations and rescues more difficult.
Insufficient sprinkler systems in some high-rise buildings have identified insufficient water coverage above a certain floor level, particularly beyond the eleventh floor. Sprinklers help to slow down the spread of fire, giving people more time to leave safely. If these systems are not reliable, the risk to residents increases.
Firefighter Access and Emergency Response
Fire safety measures should help emergency responders do their jobs effectively, but in some cases, the current systems create problems.
Firefighting lifts are essential for reaching upper floors quickly, but different key types for access can cause delays. Using a standard access system would help firefighters respond faster in emergencies.
Another concern is smoke control in basements. Without good smoke extraction, smoke can build up quickly in enclosed spaces, making it harder for people to leave and for emergency crews to work safely. Good smoke control systems are important to prevent harm from smoke inhalation, which is one of the main causes of fire-related deaths.
Strengthening Fire Safety Regulations To address these risks, fire safety regulations have been introduced to ensure better protection for residents of high-rise buildings.
🔹 Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: Focuses on improving fire safety in residential buildings over 18m by imposing additional obligations on responsible persons to manage common areas.
Introduced to implement the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report, the aim is to provide fire rescue services information to assist them in planning and providing an effective operational response to an incident.
🔹 Fire Safety Act 2021: Requires fire risk assessments to include a building’s structure, external walls, and flat entrance doors in multi-occupied buildings, strengthening overall fire safety measures.
How Amthal Supports Fire Safety in Tall Buildings
We understand the fire safety challenges of high-rise buildings. Our fire protection solutions are designed to help buildings meet safety regulations and protect people and property.
Our services include:
🔸 Reliable sprinkler and fire suppression systems that work effectively across all floors.
🔸 Effective smoke control systems to improve air quality and visibility during evacuations.
🔸 Clear documentation of fire safety materials, ensuring compliance with regulations.
🔸 Support from initial fire risk assessment through design and specification to installation and work completion alongside continued testing of all systems.
The Future of Fire Safety in Tall Buildings
Fire safety in tall buildings needs ongoing attention and action. As London continues to grow, new developments must include compliant fire safety measures. Amthal is committed to helping businesses and property owners improve fire safety.
If you would like to learn more about our fire protection solutions, contact us today to see how we can help keep your building and its occupants safe.
