A new National Fire Safety Guidance document was launched by the Local Government Regulation (formerly the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services - LACORS) on 23rd July 2008.

'Housing - Fire Safety', was developed by LACORS, the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). Officials in Communities and Local Government (CLG) have also provided considerable technical support and the guidance contains a foreword from the Fire and Housing Ministers in CLG.

The guidance applies nationally and covers certain existing residential accommodation including single family dwellings, shared houses, bedsits and flats. It is not aimed at new housing built to modern Building Regulations. The guidance adopts a risk based approach to fire safety that will satisfy both the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It includes guidance to landlords on how to carry out a fire risk assessment, advice on how to keep residential buildings safe from fire and includes a range of case studies.

The guidance is equally relevant to landlords, managing agents, local councils and fire and rescue authorities. The guidance will apply to both the private and social housing sectors and will help adopt a more consistent risk-based approach.

Landlords who follow this guidance will be well placed to satisfy requirements set out under fire safety legislation.

To download a PDF version of the guidance free of charge, please click here