London’s Fire Commissioner has called for urgent change in the building industry as the number of blocks of flats in London with fire safety failings passes an unacceptable milestone of 1,000. 

The latest London Fire Brigade figures show that 1,006 buildings in the capital have currently suspended the ‘stay put’ building design strategy, with an interim simultaneous evacuation strategy being put in place, as the buildings are not deemed safe enough for residents to stay inside in the event of a fire.

This could mean the buildings have a waking watch or a common alarm in place, with consideration also being given to evacuation management.   

Of the buildings currently subject to a simultaneous evacuation strategy, 718 are due to issues with cladding – both ACM and other types of cladding – and the remainder have other fire safety defects. The majority of the buildings (818) are over 18m tall. 

The figures show an increase of 39 buildings in August compared to July. 

National guidance states waking watches should be temporary

The 1,006 buildings with fire safety failings are subject to simultaneous evacuation which may include a waking watch but not necessarily.

Waking watches are put in place by those responsible for fire safety in buildings. This is the ‘responsible person’, who will use a competent fire safety professional to advise on what interim measures are appropriate. 

While the Brigade has a role in enforcing fire safety legislation, it does not make a decision on which interim measures are put in place in a building and the national guidance[1] is that any waking watches which are introduced should be a temporary measure and be replaced with a common alarm system as soon as possible, pending remediation. 

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “We are extremely concerned that more than four years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the number of buildings being identified with fire safety issues is increasing.

“The scale of issues being uncovered in buildings across the UK is worrying and there are much wider issues than just dangerous cladding. 

“There is a far higher number of high-risk buildings in London than anywhere else in the country and it’s clear that there has not yet been a complete culture change when it comes to fire safety in residential buildings.

“Unacceptable for residents to be burdened with knowledge their building may not be safe”

“We’re calling on all building owners and managers to take urgent action to remediate their buildings if there are serious fire safety failings. It is completely unacceptable for residents to be burdened with the knowledge, and the fear that can bring, that their building may not be safe in the event of a fire.”

Commissioner Roe has also highlighted the pressure being put on Fire Safety Inspection Officers, who have to inspect or re-inspect buildings that have changed their evacuation strategy. Front line fire crews are also carrying out regular familiarisation visits at these high-risk buildings. 

He said that while it is a draw on Brigade resources, it is vital work which has to be maintained into the future until all these buildings have been remediated.