Concerns Raised Over Fire Safety Regulations for Disabled Residents
The London Assembly has expressed significant apprehension regarding the Government’s upcoming Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations 2025, scheduled to take effect in April 2026. Assembly members believe the regulations inadequately safeguard Deaf and Disabled residents who may struggle with self-evacuation during a fire emergency.
Regulatory Gaps Highlighted
The Assembly has urged for the regulations to be crafted in consultation with Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations, aligning them with recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry that advocate for a clear legal obligation to create personal emergency evacuation plans for affected individuals.
Assembly Motion
Hina Bokhari OBE AM, who introduced the motion, commented, “Following the tragedy of Grenfell, the Inquiry highlighted the necessity for evacuation plans for those unable to self-evacuate. The current regulations fail to address this adequately, unduly placing the onus on Disabled residents to self-identify while neglecting the responsibility of building managers to ensure their safety.”
She further stated, “This motion calls upon the Mayor to advocate for stricter regulations to ensure Disabled Londoners are not left vulnerable in emergencies.”
Concerns from the Deaf and Disabled Community
Numerous Deaf and Disabled Peoples’ Organisations (DDPOs) across London have expressed concerns about the efficacy of the incoming regulations. They argue that the Government’s proposals fall short of ensuring the safety of these residents in London and beyond.
Key Issues with the Regulations
- Revisions to the duty of Responsible Persons (RPs): There is a shift from assuring “best endeavours” to “reasonable endeavours” for identifying residents needing Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), which weakens the legal obligations for building owners.
- The expectations for RPs to understand and engage with their residents remain vague, with no strict obligation to carry out the required assessments.
- Consent from residents is necessary for developing RPEEP statements, essentially putting the responsibility on residents to initiate their own safety measures.
- There are no requirements for the assessments to be done by trained professionals, and minimal information will be shared regarding the support residents might need.
- No obligation exists for RPs to provide necessary equipment or support, potentially shifting the financial burden onto disabled residents for any safety measures.
- Safety planning seems arbitrary, as it is affected by factors like building height rather than individual needs.
- Disabled residents in private and leasehold housing may be overlooked, with funding focused solely on social housing.
Call for Action
The Assembly has resolved to take action by:
- Requesting the Chair of the Assembly to contact the Minister for Housing to reconsider the regulations with input from DDPOs.
- Encouraging the Mayor to also engage with the Minister on behalf of the Deaf and Disabled community.
- Urging the Mayor to communicate with RPs to ensure that they act in good faith when interpreting the regulations.
- Asking the London Fire Commissioner to formally remind the Government of the need for a new legal duty regarding personal emergency evacuation plans as emphasized by the Grenfell Inquiry.
The discussions and motions can be viewed via webcast or on the Assembly’s official YouTube channel.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/london-assembly-press-releases/evacuation-plans-deaf-and-disabled-residents-fall-short
