RIBA and seven built environment bodies, fire safety organizations and disability rights groups have signed a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP.
The united call urges the Government to reduce the height threshold for more than one staircase in new residential buildings to 18 meters (approximately six storeys), from the government’s current proposed 30 meters (approximately ten storeys).
new residential buildings
Yesterday, Wednesday 22 March 2023, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) wrote to the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Leveling up, Housing and Communities.
The letter, signed by eight organizations representing the built environment sector, fire safety and disability rights, urges him to reduce the proposed 30-meter height threshold for an additional staircase in new residential buildings.
The coaltion calls to reduce the height threshold
The coalition is calling on the nation to reduce the height threshold for more than one staircase to 18 meters
The coalition is calling on the government to reduce the height threshold for more than one staircase to 18 meters – implementing what we believe to be best practice, improving safety for occupants, and harmonizing standards with the wider regulatory environment.
This would also align with rules in Scotland, where an additional staircase of 18 meters has been required for four years.
The letter was signed by:
- Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
- National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)
- Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN)
- Disability Rights UK
- Inclusion London
- Claddag (Leaseholder Disability Action Group)
Fire safety standards
RIBA President, Simon Allford, said: "Five years have passed since the fire at Grenfell Tower, and still we must make the case and take bolder action to help prevent further avoidable tragedies. Decisive action to make buildings as safe as is reasonably possible is long overdue. We urge the Government to improve fire safety standards - and clarity on appropriate staircase design and provision is essential."
He adds, "We know that greater numbers of people are evacuating rather than ‘staying put’ during fire incidents post-Grenfell and we must ensure occupants have access to a safe, smoke-free evacuation route. RIBA and our seven co-signatories urge the Government to adopt an 18-meter threshold for an additional staircase in all new residential buildings."
Simon Allford continues, "RIBA has long called for clarity on staircase design, and standards that help ensure people are safe in their homes. The Government’s current proposal fails to address our shared concerns. We stand ready to support government action on addressing all our concerns."
